lather
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1lath·er
noun \ˈla-thər\Definition of LATHER
1
a : a foam or froth formed when a detergent (as soap) is agitated in water b : foam or froth from profuse sweating (as on a horse)
2
: an agitated or overwrought state : dither <worked himself into a lather>
— lath·ery \-th(ə-)rē\ adjective
See Examples of LATHER
- The soap and water formed a lot of lather.
- The soap and water formed a lather.
Origin of LATHER
Middle English *lather, from Old English lēathor; akin to Latin lavere to wash — more at lye
First Known Use: before 12th century
2lather
verblath·eredlath·er·ing \-th(ə-)riŋ\
Definition of LATHER
transitive verb
1
: to spread lather over
2
: to beat severely : flog
intransitive verb
: to form a lather or a froth like lather
— lath·er·er \-thər-ər\ noun
Examples of LATHER
- He lathered his face before shaving.
- <the flinty rancher did not hesitate to lather a recalcitrant horse>
First Known Use of LATHER
before 12th century
Related to LATHER
- Synonyms
- bash, baste, bat, batter, belabor, belt, birch, bludgeon, buffet, bung up, club, curry, do, drub, fib [British], flog, hammer, hide, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lash, beat, lick, maul, mess (up), paddle, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, punch out, rough (up), slate, slog, switch, tan, thrash, thresh, thump, tromp, wallop, whale, whip, whop (or whap), whup, work over
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