Main Entry: ¹rub·ber

Pronunciation: \ˈrə-bər\

Function: 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