Adjacent Words

latex definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a milky exudate from certain plants that coagulates on exposure to air
2: a water-base paint that has a latex binder [syn: latex paint, latex, rubber-base paint]

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural latices or latexes) Etymology: New Latin latic-, latex, from Latin, fluid Date: 1835 1. a milky usually white fluid that is produced by cells of various seed plants (as of the milkweed, spurge, and poppy families) and is the source of rubber, gutta-percha, chicle, and balata 2. a water emulsion of a synthetic rubber or plastic obtained by polymerization and used especially in coatings (as paint) and adhesives

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. latexes or latices) 1 a milky fluid of mixed composition found in various plants and trees, esp. the rubber tree, and used for commercial purposes. 2 a synthetic product resembling this. Etymology: L, = liquid

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Latex La"tex, n. [L.] (Bot.) A milky or colored juice in certain plants in cavities (called latex cells or latex tubes). It contains the peculiar principles of the plants, whether aromatic, bitter, or acid, and in many instances yields caoutchouc upon coagulation.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Latex is a substance obtained from some kinds of trees, which is used to make products like rubber and glue.