I. ˈsōp noun
Etymology: Middle English sope, from Old English sāpe; akin to Old High German seifa soap
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a cleansing and emulsifying agent made usually by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids and consisting essentially of sodium or potassium salts of such acids
b. : a salt of a fatty acid and a metal
2. : soap opera
II. transitive verb
Date: 1585
1. : to rub soap over or into
2. : flatter