latex

[ ley-teks ]

noun

, plural lat·i·ces [lat, -, uh, -seez], la·tex·es.

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

/ lā′tĕks′ /

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

Bui, who appeared to be wearing blue latex gloves and carrying a black bag or folder in his left hand, walked over to the passenger side door and opened it, homicide investigators say.

From Los Angeles Times

She wore a black skintight leather dress with red stitching and long latex gloves, as she strutted down the runway for the designers Vin + Omi's 20th anniversary show.

From BBC

They’d get calls from people constantly, inquiring if they worked with latex, which piqued Cortez’s interest.

From Los Angeles Times

I realized how crucial all those latex and black leather costumes were to the tone of the film.

From Los Angeles Times

“She was allergic to eggs but put on latex gloves to cook some for me at my birthday as a surprise,” she said.

From BBC

Related Words

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