Goma

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of rubber or elastic material often used for creating various objects such as seals or cushioning
2. A versatile substance that can be molded or shaped, commonly utilized in crafts and manufacturing processes
3. A resilient compound that exhibits flexibility, employed in applications ranging from industrial use to everyday items like erasers

Etymology: Spanish "goma" is an old word for sticky plant sap, and English "goma" for elastic rubber is a borrowing of that Spanish sense. The Spanish word comes from Latin "gumma", which Latin took from Greek "kommi", meaning gum resin. Since rubber is also a tree-sap product, the same term covers it. English "gum" is a close relative, passing from Latin "gummi" through Old French "gomme". Spanish and English thus took the same ancient word along different routes, and it now names both a chewable sticky substance and a stretchy material.

Synonyms: rubber, gum, latex