balata
/bəˈlɑːtə/
noun
- A hard, durable rubber-like material obtained from the sap of certain tropical trees, used especially for making golf ball covers, machine belts, and waterproof coatings.
- Some vintage machine belts are still made from natural balata because of its strength.
- The old golf balls were made with a balata cover that gave players more spin control.
- Workers collected balata sap from trees in the Amazon rainforest.
- A tropical tree of the sapodilla family that produces balata latex.
- The balata tree can grow over 30 meters tall in the rainforest.
- The balata's wood is also used for furniture and construction.
- Farmers planted balata trees on their land to harvest the valuable latex.
Synonyms