India rubber
    n 1: an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees
         (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can
         be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products [syn:
         rubber, natural rubber, India rubber, gum elastic,
         caoutchouc]

India \In"di*a\, n. [See Indian.]
   A country in Southern Asia; the two peninsulas of Hither and
   Farther India; in a restricted sense, Hither India, or
   Hindostan.
   [1913 Webster]

   India ink, a nearly black pigment brought chiefly from
      China, used for water colors. It is in rolls, or in
      square, and consists of lampblack or ivory black and
      animal glue. Called also China ink. The true India ink
      is sepia. See Sepia.

   India matting, floor matting made in China, India, etc.,
      from grass and reeds; -- also called Canton matting or
      China matting.

   India paper, a variety of Chinese paper, of smooth but not
      glossy surface, used for printing from engravings,
      woodcuts, etc.

   India proof (Engraving), a proof impression from an
      engraved plate, taken on India paper.

   India rubber. See Caoutchouc.

   India-rubber tree (Bot.), any tree yielding caoutchouc, but
      especially the East Indian Ficus elastica, often
      cultivated for its large, shining, elliptical leaves.
      [1913 Webster]

India rubber \In"di*a rub"ber\
   See Caoutchouc.
   [1913 Webster]

Rubber \Rub"ber\, n.
   1. One who, or that which, rubs. Specifically:
      (a) An instrument or thing used in rubbing, polishing, or
          cleaning.
      (b) A coarse file, or the rough part of a file.
      (c) A whetstone; a rubstone.
      (d) An eraser, usually made of caoutchouc or a synthetic
          rubber[4].
      (e) The cushion of an electrical machine.
      (f) One who performs massage, especially in a Turkish
          bath.
      (g) Something that chafes or annoys; hence, something that
          grates on the feelings; a sarcasm; a rub. --Thackeray.
          [1913 Webster]

   2. In some games, as bridge or whist, the odd game, as the
      third or the fifth, which decides the winner when there is
      a tie between the players; as, to play the rubber; also, a
      contest determined by the winning of two out of three
      games; as, to play a rubber of whist. --Beaconsfield. "A
      rubber of cribbage." --Dickens.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. India rubber; caoutchouc; gum elastic; -- also called
      natural rubber.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

   4. Any substance, whether natural or synthetic, resembling
      India rubber with respect to its elasticity[1].
      [PJC]

   5. A low-cut overshoe made of natural or synthetic rubber[4],
      serving to keep the feet and shoes dry when walking in the
      rain or on a wet surface; -- usually used in the plural.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. A condom. [Slang]
      [PJC]

   Antimony rubber, an elastic durable variety of vulcanized
      caoutchouc of a red color. It contains antimony sulphide
      as an important constituent.

   Hard rubber, a kind of vulcanized caoutchouc which nearly
      resembles horn in texture, rigidity, etc.

   India rubber, caoutchouc. See Caoutchouc.

   Rubber cloth, cloth covered with caoutchouc for excluding
      water or moisture.

   Rubber dam (Dentistry), a shield of thin sheet rubber
      clasped around a tooth to exclude saliva from the tooth.
      [1913 Webster]

Caoutchouc \Caout"chouc\, n. [F. caoutchouc, from the South
   American name.]
   A tenacious, elastic, gummy substance obtained from the milky
   sap of several plants of tropical South America (esp. the
   euphorbiaceous tree Siphonia elastica or Hevea
   caoutchouc), Asia, and Africa. Being impermeable to liquids
   and gases, and not readly affected by exposure to air, acids,
   and alkalies, it is used, especially when vulcanized, for
   many purposes in the arts and in manufactures. Also called
   India rubber (because it was first brought from India, and
   was formerly used chiefly for erasing pencil marks) and gum
   elastic. See Vulcanization.
   [1913 Webster]

   Mineral caoutchouc. See under Mineral.
      [1913 Webster]