CAOUTCHOUCS
Noun
caoutchoucs
plural of caoutchouc
Source: Wiktionary
CAOUTCHOUC
Caout"chouc, n. Etym: [F. caoutchouc, from the South American name.]
Definition: 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. Mineral caoutchouc. See under
Mineral.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition