rubber

Meanings

Noun

• Pliable material derived from the sap of the rubber tree; a hydrocarbon polymer of isoprene.
• Synthetic materials with the same properties as natural rubber.
• An eraser.
• A condom.
• Someone or something which rubs.
• The cushion of an electric machine.
• The rectangular pad on the pitcher's mound from which the pitcher must pitch.
• Water-resistant shoe covers, galoshes, overshoes.
• Tires, particularly racing tires.
• A hardship or misfortune.
• In relation to a series of games or matches between two competitors where the overall winner of the series is the competitor which wins a majority of the individual games or matches:
• A rubber match; a game or match played to break a tie.
• The game of rubber bridge.

Adjective

• Not covered by funds on account.

Verb

• To eavesdrop on a telephone call
• To rubberneck; to observe with unseemly curiosity.

Related

Similar words

• hot, bad

Origin

• From rub + -er.
• The sense of the substance comes from its ability to function as an eraser, displacing earlier caoutchouc. The senses not having to do with rubbing or erasing are secondarily derived from the name of the substance.
• Origin unknown.