Leather vs. Latex — What's the Difference?

Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hogs, and aquatic animals such as seals and alligators.Leather can be used to make a variety of items, including clothing, footwear, handbags, furniture, tools and sports equipment, and lasts for decades.

Latex is a stable dispersion (emulsion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well.

A material made from the skin of an animal by tanning or a similar process

A milky fluid found in many plants, such as poppies and spurges, which exudes when the plant is cut and coagulates on exposure to the air. The latex of the rubber tree is the chief source of natural rubber.

A piece of leather as a polishing cloth.

The colorless or milky sap of certain plants, such as the poinsettia or milkweed, that coagulates on exposure to air.

Short for stirrup leather

A polymer emulsion consisting of such sap obtained from rubber trees, used to manufacture various thin elastic products such as balloons, disposable gloves, and medical and contraceptive devices. Some people are allergic to this substance. Also called natural rubber latex.

Beat or thrash (someone)

A similar material made from polymers derived from petroleum; synthetic latex.

The dressed or tanned hide of an animal.

Latex paint.

Any of various articles or parts made of dressed or tanned hide, such as a boot or strap.

A clear liquid believed to be a component of a humour or other bodily fluid esp. plasma and lymph

The flap of a dog's ear.

The milky sap of several trees that coagulates on exposure to air; used to make rubber.

To cover wholly or in part with the dressed or tanned hide of an animal.

An emulsion of rubber in water, used in adhesives and the like.

(Informal) To beat with a strap made of hide.

(uncountable) Natural latex rubber, especially non-vulcanized rubber, such as is used in making latex gloves, latex condoms, and latex clothing.

Made of, relating to, or resembling dressed or tanned animal hide.

A milky or colored juice in certain plants in cavities (called latex cells or latex tubes). It contains the peculiar principles of the plants, whether aromatic, bitter, or acid, and in many instances yields caoutchouc upon coagulation. The lattex of the India rubber plant produces the rubber of commerce on coagulation.

(Slang) Of or relating to the wearing of leather, or patronized by people who wear leather, especially as a sexual fetish

Any aqueous emulsion of finely divided rubber or plastic particles, especially such an emulsion used as a base for paint; as, a latex paint.

A tough material produced from the skin of animals, by tanning or similar process, used e.g. for clothing.

A milky exudate from certain plants that coagulates on exposure to air

A piece of the above used for polishing.

A water-base paint having a latex binder

(colloquial) A cricket ball or football.

(plural: leathers) clothing made from the skin of animals, often worn by motorcycle riders.

(baseball) A good defensive play

(boxing) A punch.

The skin.

Made of leather.

Referring to one who wears leather clothing (motorcycle jacket, chaps over 501 jeans, boots), especially as a sign of sadomasochistic homosexuality.

(transitive) To cover with leather.

(transitive) To strike forcefully.

(transitive) To spank or beat with a leather belt or strap.

The skin of an animal, or some part of such skin, with the hair removed, and tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed for use; also, dressed hides, collectively.

The skin.

To beat, as with a thong of leather.

Of, pertaining to or made of leather; consisting of leather; as, a black leather jacket.

An animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning