A milky fluid found in many plants that serves as a defense mechanism, or a synthetic rubber material made to mimic natural latex. It's commonly used in gloves, condoms, and various medical and household products.
From Latin 'latex' meaning 'liquid' or 'fluid,' derived from the past participle of 'liquere' (to be liquid). Originally used in botany to describe plant fluids, it was later applied to synthetic materials that resembled natural latex in properties.
Natural latex is essentially plant blood—when a rubber tree is cut, it 'bleeds' this protective white fluid that the tree uses to seal wounds and deter insects. Humans learned to harvest this natural bandage material and turn it into everything from car tires to surgical gloves!
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