GUTTA-PERCHA

noun Etymology: Malay gĕtah-pĕrcha, from gĕtah sap, latex + pĕrcha scrap, rag Date: 1845 a tough plastic substance from the latex of several Malaysian trees (genera Payena and Palaquium ) of the sapodilla family that resembles rubber but contains more resin and is used especially as insulation and in dentistry in temporary fillings