latex

 
Pronunciation: /ˈleɪtɛks/

noun (plural latexes or latices /-tɪsiːz/)

[mass noun]
  • a milky fluid found in many plants, such as poppies and spurges, which exudes when the plant is cut and coagulates on exposure to the air. The latex of the rubber tree is the chief source of natural rubber.
  • a synthetic product resembling latex used to make paints, coatings, etc..

Origin:

mid 17th century (denoting various bodily fluids, especially the watery part of blood): from Latin, literally 'liquid, fluid'