Cerate is a type of medical OINTMENT that has been used for centuries. It is made from beeswax, lard, and other ingredients such as herbs and essential oils. The term cerate is derived from the Latin word for wax, ceratum. CREAM, with five letters, is a type of cerate that is softer and more spreadable than BALM, which has four letters, and OINTMENT, which has eight letters. OINTMENT is a thicker, more viscous form of cerate. All three forms of cerate are used to soothe and protect skin, and can be used to treat minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.