I. ˈfōm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English fom, fome, foom, from Old English fām; akin to Old High German feim foam, Norwegian feim coating, Latin spuma foam, pumex pumice, Sanskrit phena foam
1. : a light whitish mass of fine bubbles that is formed in or on the surface of a liquid by agitation (as of ocean waves) or fermentation or effervescence : a dispersion of a gas or vapor in a liquid : froth , spume — compare emulsion 2a
2. : the froth formed in the mouth of an animal by salivation or on the skin (as of a horse) by sweating
3. : sea
4. : something like foam
a fine foam of lace at his wrists and throat — Max Peacock
5. : a stabilized frothy substance generated either by a chemical reaction or by mechanical agitation for use in fighting especially gasoline and oil fires by blanketing and smothering them
6. : material in a lightweight cellular spongy or rigid form produced by foaming: as
a. : foam rubber
b. : expanded plastic
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English fomen, from fom, fome, n.
intransitive verb
1. : to gather or form foam
2. : to froth at the mouth in anger : be angry : rage
he foamed and stormed and threatened
3. : to gush out in foam
blood foaming from his mouth
4. : to form a froth or scum on the water surface that entrains solids and prevents the liberation of steam — used of a steam boiler
transitive verb
1. : to cause to foam : cover with foam ; specifically : to cause air bubbles to form in (as concrete, mortar, or plaster)
2. : to introduce gas bubbles into (as a plastic or resin) in order to form a lightweight cellular material : expand , whip
plastic is foamed in place in a sandwich construction