latex

[ley-teks]

noun

plural

latices, latexes 

1. a milky liquid in certain plants, as milkweeds, euphorbias, poppies, or the plants yielding India rubber, that coagulates on exposure to air.

2. Chemistry.,  any emulsion in water of finely divided particles of synthetic rubber or plastic.

latex

/ ˈleɪtɛks /

noun

1. a whitish milky fluid containing protein, starch, alkaloids, etc, that is produced by many plants. Latex from the rubber tree is used in the manufacture of rubber

2. a suspension of synthetic rubber or plastic in water, used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber products, etc

latex

1. The colorless or milky sap of certain trees and plants, such as the milkweed and the rubber tree, that hardens when exposed to the air. Latex usually contains gum resins, waxes, and oils, and sometimes toxic substances.

2. A manufactured emulsion of synthetic rubber or plastic droplets in water that resembles the latex of plants. It is used in paints, adhesives, and synthetic rubber products.

Word History and Origins

Origin of latex¹

1655–65; < New Latin, special use of Latin latex water, juice, liquid

Word History and Origins

Origin of latex¹

C19: New Latin, from Latin: liquid, fluid

Example Sentences

Gower and his team used foam latex, which is lightweight and opaque, to cover large body pieces for Vecna, mainly his left arm and lower body.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“CAREOTICS” features multimedia provocations, from a film of Abareshi splayed in a hospital bed to latex gloves printed with the words “This touch is your best hurt and your most horrific pleasure.”

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At least the flesh is made of latex.

Read more on Salon

The weekly Russian satire known as “Kukly” — or “Puppets,” in English — lampooned Russian leaders by rendering them as giant latex caricatures.

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Materials such as foam, latex, fiberglass and a variety of metals and plastics have gone into their colorful creations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acrylic 
• color 
• cosmetic 
• dye 
• enamel 
• makeup 
• oil 
• pigment 
• stain 
• varnish 
• wax