rubber1
n.
- a tough elastic polymeric substance made from the latex of a tropical tree or synthetically.
- Brit. a piece of rubber used for erasing pencil marks.
- N. Amer. informal a condom.
-
(rubbers)
N. Amer. rubber boots; galoshes.
Derivative
- rubberiness n.
- rubberize
or rubberise v. - rubberoid adj.
- rubbery adj.
Etymology
C16: from rub + -er1; an early use of the substance rubber was to rub out pencil marks.
rubber2
n.
- a contest consisting of a series of matches between the same sides in cricket, tennis, and other games.
- Bridge a unit of play in which one side scores bonus points for winning the best of three games.
Etymology
C16: of unknown origin; early use was as a term in bowls.