n. & v.
n. 1 a usu. savoury liquid dish made by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables etc. in stock or water. 2 US sl. nitroglycerine or gelignite, esp. for safe-breaking. 3 sl. the chemicals in which film is developed. 4 colloq. fog; thick cloud.
v.tr. (usu. foll. by up) colloq. 1 increase the power and efficiency of (an engine). 2 increase the power or impact of (writing, music, etc.). in the soup colloq. in difficulties. soup and fish colloq. evening dress. soup-kitchen a place dispensing soup etc. to the poor. soup-plate a deep wide-rimmed plate for serving soup. soup-spoon a large round-bowled spoon for drinking soup.
[ F soupe sop, broth, f. LL suppa f. Gmc: cf. SOP, SUP(1) ]