[rub.ber] n (1536) 1 a: one that rubs b: an instrument or object (as a rubber eraser) used in rubbing, polishing, scraping, or cleaning c: something that prevents rubbing or chafing
2. [fr. its use in erasers] a: an elastic substance that is obtained by coagulating the milky juice of any of various tropical plants (as of the genera Hevea and Ficus), is essentially a polymer of isoprene, and is prepared as sheets and then dried--called also caoutchouc, india rubber b: any of various synthetic rubberlike substances c: natural or synthetic rubber modified by chemical treatment to increase its useful properties (as toughness and resistance to wear) and used esp. in tires, electrical insulation, and waterproof materials
3: something made of or resembling rubber: as a: a rubber overshoe b (1): a rubber tire (2): the set of tires on a vehicle c: a rectangular slab of white rubber in the middle of a baseball infield on which a pitcher stands while pitching d: condom -- rubber adj
[2]rubber n [origin unknown] (1599) 1: a contest consisting of an odd number of games won by the side that takes a majority (as two out of three)
2: an odd game played to determine the winner of a tie