Gutta-percha

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Gutta-percha \Gut"ta-per`cha\, n. [Malay gutah gum + pertja the
     tree from which is it procured.]
     A concrete juice produced by various trees found in the
     Malayan archipelago, especially by the {Isonandra Gutta},
     syn. {Dichopsis Gutta}. It becomes soft, and unpressible at
     the tamperature of boiling water, and, on cooling, retains


     its new shape. It dissolves in oils and ethers, but not in
     water. In many of its properties it resembles caoutchouc, and
     it is extensively used for many economical purposes. The
     {Mimusops globosa} of Guiana also yields this material.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  gutta-percha
       n : a whitish rubber derived from the coagulated milky latex of
           the gutta-percha tree