gutta percha
/ˌɡʌtə ˈpɜrtʃə/
noun
- A tough, rubbery substance obtained from the latex of certain tropical trees, used historically for electrical insulation, golf balls, and dental fillings.
- Early telegraph cables were insulated with gutta-percha to prevent electrical leakage.
- The museum displayed antique golf balls made from gutta-percha, which were used before rubber ones.
- Dentists once used gutta-percha as a filling material because it was easy to mold and waterproof.