/ ˈleɪteks; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
a thick white liquid that is produced by some plants and trees, especially rubber trees. Latex becomes solid when exposed to air, and is used to make medical products :
latex gloves
2.
an artificial substance similar to this that is used to make paints, glues, etc.
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (denoting various bodily fluids, especially the watery part of blood): from Latin , literally liquid, fluid.