— foamable , adj. — foamer , n. — foamingly , adv. — foamless , adj. — foamlike , adj.
/fohm/ , n.
1. a collection of minute bubbles formed on the surface of a liquid by agitation, fermentation, etc.: foam on a glass of beer.
2. the froth of perspiration, caused by great exertion, formed on the skin of a horse or other animal.
3. froth formed from saliva in the mouth, as in epilepsy and rabies.
4. a thick frothy substance, as shaving cream.
5. (in firefighting)
a. a chemically produced substance that smothers the flames on a burning liquid by forming a layer of minute, stable, heat-resistant bubbles on the liquid's surface.
b. the layer of bubbles so formed.
6. a dispersion of gas bubbles in a solid, as foam glass, foam rubber, polyfoam, or foamed metal.
7. Literary. the sea.
v.i.
8. to form or gather foam; emit foam; froth.
v.t.
9. to cause to foam.
10. to cover with foam; apply foam to: to foam a runway before an emergency landing.
11. to insulate with foam.
12. to make (plastic, metal, etc.) into a foam.
13. foam at the mouth , to be extremely or uncontrollably angry.
[ bef. 900; ME fom, OE fam; c. G Feim ]
Syn. 1. froth, spume, head, fizz; scum.