a tropical American sapotaceous tree, Manilkara bidentata, yielding a latex-like sap
2.
a rubber-like gum obtained from this sap: used as a substitute for gutta-percha
Word origin
from American Spanish, of Carib origin
balata in American English
(bəˈlɑtə; ˈbælətə)
noun
1.
any of a genus (Manilkara, esp. M. bidentata) of tropical American trees of the sapodilla family with hard, heavy, dark-red wood used for flooring, furniture, etc.
2.
the dried milky sap of these trees, a rubberlike gum used to make golf ball covers, conveyor belts, etc.