gutta-percha

noun

gut·​ta-per·​cha ˌgə-tə-ˈpər-chə How to pronounce gutta-percha (audio)
: a tough plastic substance from the latex of several Malaysian trees (especially Palaquium gutta) of the sapodilla family that resembles rubber but contains more resin and is used especially as insulation and in dentistry as a permanent filling in root canals

Word History

Etymology

Malay gĕtah-pĕrcha, from gĕtah sap, latex + pĕrcha scrap, rag

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gutta-percha was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near gutta-percha

Cite this Entry

“Gutta-percha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gutta-percha. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

gutta-percha

noun
gut·​ta-per·​cha ˌgət-ə-ˈpər-chə How to pronounce gutta-percha (audio)
: a tough plastic substance from the latex of several Malaysian trees (genera Payena and Palaquium) of the sapodilla family (Sapotaceae) that resembles rubber but contains more resin and is used in dentistry especially as a permanent filling in root canals

More from Merriam-Webster on gutta-percha

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!