lath

[ lath, lahth ]

noun

, plural laths [la, th, z, laths, lah, th, z, lahths].

1. a thin, narrow strip of wood, used with other strips to form latticework, a backing for plaster or stucco, a support for slates and other roofing materials, etc.
2. a group or quantity of such strips.
3. work consisting of such strips.
4. wire mesh or the like used in place of wooden laths as a backing for plasterwork.
5. a thin, narrow, flat piece of wood used for any purpose.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or line with laths.

lath

/ lɑːθ /

noun

1. one of several thin narrow strips of wood used to provide a supporting framework for plaster, tiles, etc
2. expanded sheet metal, wire mesh, etc, used to provide backing for plaster or rendering
3. any thin strip of wood

verb

1. tr to attach laths to (a ceiling, roof, floor, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈlathˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• lathlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lath¹

before 1000; Middle English la ( th ) the; replacing Middle English latt, Old English lætt; cognate with German Latte, Dutch lat

Word History and Origins

Origin of lath¹

Old English lætt; related to Dutch lat, Old High German latta

Example Sentences

"'Bared the lion in hith den—the Doog-dug-lath——'" Abraham stopped and took a long breath.

From Project Gutenberg

When the plants are to be hung on lath they may be wilted before "stringing" or not, at the option of the grower.

From Project Gutenberg

When hung in this manner five or six plants to the lath are the usual number unless they are very large.

From Project Gutenberg

And he nailed that shingle to a lath, and stood the lath up four or five foot in front of the wigwam.

From Project Gutenberg

The cutaway is made of a small piece of board, a cigar-box lid, an old yardstick or a piece of lath, which should be about 6 in.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• girder
• joist
• piling
• pillar
• plank
• pole
• shaft
• sill
• timber