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
When smashed with a driver, the ball would spin less than a balata ball, keeping it from hooking or slicing.
From Golf Digest • Oct. 16, 2013
And in every situation, it flew significantly farther than a balata ball when hit with the same force.
From Golf Digest • Oct. 16, 2013
Trouble has been experienced for the past few months in connexion with the balata trade, and British officers have been keenly alert to prevent illicit trading.
From International Incidents for Discussion in Conversation Classes by Oppenheim, L. (Lassa)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
