I. ˈrə-bər noun
Date: 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.
[from 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 especially 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 1
• rubber adjective
II. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 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