a frothy white mass of bubbles produced by soap, washing powder, etc. when mixed with water

she rinsed off the lather and dried her hands

a state of agitation or nervous excitement

Dad had got into a right lather by the time I got home

form or cause to form a lather

soap will not lather in hard water

cover something with liberal amounts of (a substance)

she lathered a slice of toast with butter

(of a horse) be covered with sweat

the old mare was lathered and I decided it was time for a rest

thrash (someone)

my mother caught me by the back of the neck and lathered me up the steps