latex

noun la·tex \ˈlā-ˌteks\

: a white fluid produced by certain plants that is used for making rubber; also : a similar material that is used for making various products (such as paint and glue)

plural la·ti·ces \ˈlā-tə-ˌsēz, ˈla-\ or la·tex·es

Full Definition of LATEX

: 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

: a water emulsion of a synthetic rubber or plastic obtained by polymerization and used especially in coatings (as paint) and adhesives

See latex defined for English-language learners

See latex defined for kids

Origin of LATEX

New Latin latic-, latex, from Latin, fluid

First Known Use: 1835

Rhymes with LATEX

annex, apex, codex, complex, convex, cortex, culex, desex, duplex, DX, fourplex, ibex, ilex, index, Kleenex, mirex, murex, MX, narthex, perplex, Perspex, phone sex, pollex, Pyrex, reflex, Rx, safe sex, scolex, silex, silvex, simplex, spandex, telex, Tex-Mex, triplex, unsex, vertex, vortex

LATEX Defined for Kids

latex

noun la·tex \ˈlā-ˌteks\

Definition of LATEX for Kids

: a milky plant juice that is the source of rubber

: a mixture of water and tiny particles of rubber or plastic used especially in paints

Medical Dictionary

latex

noun la·tex \ˈlā-ˌteks\

plural la·ti·ces \ˈlāt-ə-ˌsēz, ˈlat-\ or la·tex·es

Medical Definition of LATEX

: a milky usually white fluid that is usually made up of various gum resins, fats, or waxes and often a complex mixture of other substances frequently including poisonous compounds, 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