a thick white liquid that is produced by some plants and trees, especially rubber trees. Latex becomes solid when exposed to air, and is used to make medical products, clothes and masks. （天然）胶乳；（尤指橡胶树的）橡浆 latex gloves 合成胶手套
an artificial substance similar to this that is used to make paint, glue (= a sticky substance used for joining things together), etc. 人工合成胶乳（用于制作油漆、黏合剂等）
Word Originmid 17th cent. (denoting various bodily fluids, especially the watery part of blood): from Latin, literally ‘liquid, fluid’.