Chem. [f. CER-IUM + -OUS.] Of the nature of Cerium; applied to chemical compounds in which cerium combines as a triad, as in cerous salts; Cerous chloride, Ce Cl3, Cerous oxide, Ce2 O3. Cerous silicate, Ce2 Si3 O12.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 834. Cerous fluoride is obtained as a white precipitate by adding an alkaline fluoride to a cerous salt. Ibid., 835. Cerous silicate exists in nature as Cerite; the phosphate as Monazite, Edwardsite, Cryptolite, and Phosphocerite; the carbonate in Parisite.
