balata
Americannoun
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a nonelastic, rubberlike, water-resistant gum that softens in hot water and is obtained from the latex of a tropical American tree, Manilkara bidentata: used chiefly in the manufacture of machinery belts, golf ball covers, and as a substitute for gutta percha.
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a tree, Mimusops balata, of Madagascar.
noun
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a tropical American sapotaceous tree, Manilkara bidentata , yielding a latex-like sap
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a rubber-like gum obtained from this sap: used as a substitute for gutta-percha
Etymology
Origin of balata
First recorded in 1855–60; from Latin American Spanish, from Carib; compare Galibi balata
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“He played balata golf balls. They were expensive, and he changed them out on every hole, which I couldn’t believe,” she said.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 27, 2022
A final-round 65 using persimmon and balata it was not.
From Golf Digest ● Apr. 8, 2020
Ever hit a persimmon driver or balata golf ball?
From Golf Digest ● Aug. 15, 2017
How, one might wonder, did Hogan avoid hitting “upshooters” with the downward hit on those old balata balls?
From Golf Digest ● Mar. 24, 2017
"You hesitate at twenty balata, then you point out that?"
From The Players by Steve Solomon
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
