latex

noun pl. latices or latexes

1. a milky liquid containing resins, proteins, etc., present in certain plants and trees, as the rubber tree, milkweed, and poppy: used esp. as the basis of rubber
2. a suspension in water of particles of natural or synthetic rubber or plastic: used in rubber goods, adhesives, paints, etc.

Origin: L latex (gen. laticis), a fluid, liquid < Gr latax, a drop, wine lees < IE base *lat-, wet > MIr laith, beer