balata (redirected from balatas)

ba·la·ta  (b-lät)

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.

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[American Spanish, from Tupi and Galibi.]

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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]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	balata - when dried yields a hard substance used e.g. in golf balls gutta balata 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 timber balata tree, beefwood, bully tree, Manilkara bidentata balata, 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