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

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

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times

But when she first saw the person standing in her hallway dressed in a long sleeve white shirt, dark pants, balaclava and blue latex gloves, she had no idea who he was.

From Los Angeles Times

Nottingham Crown Court was told Knowles converted at least 33 replica pistols, and had enough bullets for a further 80 kits that were packaged with silencers and latex gloves.

From BBC

Police are hunting for the suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, who wore a latex mask and posed as an officer to shoot the victims at their homes in suburban Minneapolis, before escaping on foot.

From BBC

Related Words

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