['l?:??, 'la??]
¦ noun
1. a frothy white mass of bubbles produced by soap when mixed with water.
2. heavy sweat visible on a horse's coat as a white foam.
3. (a lather) informal a state of agitation or nervous excitement.
¦ verb
1. form or cause to form a lather.
rub with soap until a lather is produced.
2. cover or spread liberally with (a substance).
3. informal thrash (someone).
Derivatives
lathery adjective
Origin
OE l?thor, lethran (v.), of Gmc origin.