~ 1
■ noun
1》 a tough elastic polymeric substance made from the latex of a tropical tree or synthetically.
2》 Brit. a piece of ~ used for erasing pencil marks.
3》 N. Amer. informal a condom.
4》 ( ~s ) N. Amer. ~ boots; galoshes.
Derivatives
~iness noun
~ize or ~ise verb
~oid adjective
~y adjective
Origin
C16: from rub + -er 1 ; an early use of the substance ~ was to rub out pencil marks.
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~ 2
■ noun
1》 a contest consisting of a series of matches between the same sides in cricket, tennis, and other games.
2》 Bridge a unit of play in which one side scores bonus points for winning the best of three games.
Origin
C16: of unknown origin; early use was as a term in bowls.