bəˈläd.ə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Spanish, of Cariban origin; akin to Galibi balata
1. : a hard substance produced by drying the milky juice of a bully tree ( Manilkara bidentata ) and that possess properties similar to those of gutta percha and is used chiefly in the manufacture of belting and golf balls — called also gutta balata
2. : any of certain tropical American trees of the genus Manilkara that yield balata ; especially : a bully tree ( M. bidentata )