1. The froth produced by soaps or detergents
   "lather overflowed from the washing machine";
   - soapsuds, suds
    
2. The foam resulting from excessive sweating (as on a horse)
   "The horse was covered in lather after the long race"
    
3. Agitation resulting from active worry
   "don't get in a lather";
   - fret, stew [informal], sweat [informal], swither [UK, dialect]
    
4. A workman who puts up laths
   "The lather carefully spaced the wooden strips to prepare the wall for plastering"

1. Rub soap all over, usually with the purpose of cleaning
   "She lathered her hands thoroughly before rinsing";
   - soap
    
2. Form a lather
   "The shaving cream lathered"
    
3. Exude sweat or lather
   "this unfit horse lathers easily"
    
4. Beat severely with a whip or rod
   "The sailor was latherd for disobedience";
   - flog, welt, whip, lash, slash, strap, trounce, whale [N. Amer, informal]

Derived forms: lathering, lathered, lathers

Type of: agitation, beat, beat up, clean, cleanse, effervesce, fizz, foam, form bubbles, froth, sparkle, work over [informal], working person

Encyclopedia: Lather, rinse, repeat