ba·la·ta (b -lä t)n. The nonelastic rubber obtained from the latex of the South American tree Manilkara bidentata. It has been used in the manufacture of golf-ball covers and machine belts. [American Spanish, from Tupi and Galibi.] |
balata [ˈbælətə]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a tropical American sapotaceous tree, Manilkara bidentata, yielding a latex-like sap
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a rubber-like gum obtained from this sap: used as a substitute for gutta-percha
[from American Spanish, of Carib origin]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | balata - when dried yields a hard substance used e.g. in golf balls balata tree, beefwood, bully tree, Manilkara bidentata, balata - a tropical hardwood tree yielding balata gum and heavy red timber gum - any of various substances (soluble in water) that exude from certain plants; they are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying |
| 2. |  balata - a tropical hardwood tree yielding balata gum and heavy red timberbalata, gutta balata - when dried yields a hard substance used e.g. in golf balls tree - a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms |
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