[lath] n, pl laths or lath [ME, fr. (assumed) OE laethth-; akin to OHG latta lath, W llath yard] (13c) 1: a thin narrow strip of wood nailed to rafters, joists, or studding as a groundwork for slates, tiles, or plaster
2: a building material in sheets used as a base for plaster
3: a quantity of laths -- lath vt