Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tropical hardwood tree: A large tree native to tropical regions of South and Central America, known for its durable, heavy red timber and as the source of a natural latex.
   • A hard, rubber-like substance: A non-elastic gum obtained from the sap of the balata tree, which hardens upon drying and is used in various industrial applications.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to the tree):
  • The forest was home to several ancient balata trees.
  • The balata is valued for its dense, red timber.
• Noun (referring to the gum):
  • Early golf balls were often made with a core of balata.
  • The substance, known as balata, is tapped from the tree much like rubber.

Advanced Usage

• "Balata gum": The specific natural latex product harvested from the tree.
  • The production of balata gum was once a major industry in Guyana.

Variants and Related Words

• Gutta-percha: (noun) A similar non-elastic, rubber-like gum from a different tropical tree, often compared to or confused with balata in historical usage.
• Bulletwood: (noun) Another common name for the balata tree, referring to the hardness and density of its wood.

Synonyms

• For the substance: Gutta-balata, natural gum.
• For the tree: Manilkara bidentata (scientific name), bulletwood tree.

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Latex: The milky sap from which balata is derived.
• Non-elastic: A key property of dried balata, distinguishing it from elastic rubber.

Noun

1. a tropical hardwood tree yielding balata gum and heavy red timber
2. when dried yields a hard substance used e.g. in golf balls