I. ˈlathə(r) sometimes chiefly Brit ˈlȧth- noun
( -s )
Etymology: from (assumed) Middle English lather, from Old English lēathor; akin to Old Norse lauthr froth, Old English lēah lye — more at lye
1.
a. : a foam or froth consisting of extremely small bubbles formed when soap or some other detergent is agitated with or in water
b. : foam or froth from profuse sweating (as on a horse) : a condition of sweating profusely
worked himself into a lather
2. : a highly agitated or overwrought state : dither
in a lather of nervous apprehension — Walter O'Meara
why is she in such a lather to get money — J.B.Benefield
in a lather of hurry to get everything finished at once — G.W.Brace
II. verb
( lathered ; lathered ; lathering -th(ə)riŋ ; lathers )
Etymology: Middle English latheren, alteration (influenced by — assumed — Middle English lather, n.) of letheren, litheren, from Old English lethran, lȳthran; akin to Old Norse leythra to wash; denominative from the root of Old English lēathor, n.
transitive verb
1. : to spread lather over
lather the face
2. : to beat severely : flog
will lather your hide — Ballad Book
3. : excite , agitate — usually used with up
used to lather up the floor clerk to the point of frenzy — Sat. Eve. Post
intransitive verb
: to form a lather or a froth like lather
good soap lathers profusely and quickly — Danceland
III. ˈlathə(r), -aath-, -ȧth- noun
( -s )
Etymology: lath (II) + -er
: a person who makes laths or puts up laths as a base for plaster or fireproofing material
IV. ˈlāthə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: lathe (V) + -er
: a person who works a lathe