n. 1. A foam formed by soap or detergent agitated in water, as in washing or shaving. 2. Froth formed by profuse sweating, as on a horse. 3. Informal A condition of anxious or heated discomposure; agitation: The students were in a lather over the proposed restrictions. v. lath·ered, lath·er·ing, lath·ers v.tr. 1. To spread with or as if with lather. 2. Informal To give a beating to; whip. v.intr. 1. To produce lather; foam. 2. To become coated with lather. [Probably from Middle English latheren, to wash or soak clothes, from Old English lēthran, to cover with lather; see leu(ə)- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] lather·er n. lather·y adj. |
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