I. ˈlath, -aa(ə)-, -ȧ- noun
( plural laths -thz, -ths ; also lath )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English lat, latte, lath, lathe, from Old English lætt; akin to Middle Dutch lat, latte lath, Old High German & Old Norse latta lath, Welsh llath yard (measure of length)
1.
a. : a thin narrow strip of wood used (as by nailing to rafters, ceiling joists, studding) in making a groundwork (as for slates, tiles, plaster) or in constructing a light framework (as a trellis)
b. : a building material in sheets (as expanded or otherwise perforated metal, stiffened wire cloth, gypsum) used as a base for plaster
c. : a small angle iron used to support the covering of an iron roof
d. : a quantity of laths : lathing
built with lath and plaster
e. : a thin narrow strip of wood used for any purpose
f. : forepole
2.
a. : someone or something that is long, thin, and narrow
a lath like you, to hoist a hulk like me — W.W.Gibson
b. : tobacco stick
c. : a thin or narrow and usually small aggregate of rock or mineral
the biotite is in laths ranging up to several millimeters in length — Journal of Geology
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to cover or line with laths