What is Latex: Definition and 999 Discussions

Latex is a stable dispersion (emulsion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well.
Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosperms). It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins, and gums that coagulate on exposure to air. It is usually exuded after tissue injury. In most plants, latex is white, but some have yellow, orange, or scarlet latex. Since the 17th century, latex has been used as a term for the fluid substance in plants, deriving from the Latin word for "liquid." It serves mainly as defense against herbivorous insects. Latex is not to be confused with plant sap; it is a distinct substance, separately produced, and with separate functions.
The word latex is also used to refer to natural latex rubber, particularly non-vulcanized rubber. Such is the case in products like latex gloves, latex condoms and latex clothing.
Originally, the name given to latex by indigenous Equator tribes who cultivated the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, was "caoutchouc", from the words caa ('tear') and ochu ('tree'), because of the way it is collected.

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  1. S

    LaTeX How can I write X bar to denote a vector outside of a Latex forum?

    How do I write X bar with the bar over it to denote a vector? I discovered that if I compose a Latex equation here that I can copy it into a Word file. Is this true of all the symbols? Same for sub and super scripts. Is there a software tool that I can use to write Latex outside the realm...
  2. M

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  3. A

    LaTeX How can I troubleshoot LaTeX errors without line numbers or specific locations?

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  4. S

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  5. Borek

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  6. W

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  7. S

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  8. S

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  9. N

    LaTeX [LaTeX] What are the standard margins on a latex document?

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  10. B

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  11. S

    LaTeX How Can I Write a Multiline Equation in Latex?

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  12. J

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  13. S

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  14. A

    LaTeX Discover the Vibrant World of Colored Latex for Endless Possibilities

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  15. D

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  16. B

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  17. L

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  18. S

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  19. S

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  20. ShayanJ

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  21. QuarkCharmer

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  22. C

    MATLAB Include MATLAB Figure in LATEX Document

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  23. Z

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  24. Greg Bernhardt

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  25. G

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  26. MacLaddy

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  27. M

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  28. N

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  29. alexmahone

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  30. Saladsamurai

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  31. Fredrik

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  32. L

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  33. D

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  34. K

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  35. Jameson

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  36. A

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  37. D

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  38. R

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  39. cepheid

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  40. Saladsamurai

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  41. Chris L T521

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  42. Chris L T521

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  43. The Chaz

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  44. A

    LaTeX Effortlessly Render LaTeX Formulas with a User-Friendly Reader

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  45. J

    LaTeX Can You Test Latex Code Locally Before Posting?

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  46. quasar987

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  47. S

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  48. B

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  49. C

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  50. A

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