Caoutchouc

[Sarah]

A tenacious, elastic, gummy substance obtained from the milkysap of several plants of tropical South America (esp. theeuphorbiaceous tree Siphonia elastica or Hevea caoutchouc), Asia, andAfrica. Being impermeable to liquids and gases, and not readlyaffected by exposure to air, acids, and alkalies, it is used,especially when vulcanized, for many purposes in the arts and inmanufactures. Also called India rubber (because it was first broughtfrom India, and was formerly used chiefly for erasing pencil marks)and gum elastic. See Vulcanization. Mineral caoutchouc. See underMineral.