slather

slather
slather (v.) "spread liberally," 1847, of uncertain origin.
Slather on the manure on all the hoed crops, if you have it; if not buy of your improvident neighbor. ["Genesee Farmer," June 1847]
Sometimes said to be from a dialectal noun meaning "large amount" (usually as plural, slathers), but this is first attested 1855; of uncertain origin, it is perhaps from Ir. sliotar. Related: Slathered; slathering.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • slather — ► VERB informal ▪ spread or smear thickly or liberally. ● open slather Cf. ↑open slather ORIGIN of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • slather — [slath′ər] [Informal or Dial.] Informal Dial. n. [< ?] [usually pl.] a large amount; a lot vt. 1. to cover or spread thickly 2. to use or use up in a lavish or wasteful way …   English World dictionary

  • slather — UK [ˈslæðə(r)] / US [ˈslæðər] verb [transitive] Word forms slather : present tense I/you/we/they slather he/she/it slathers present participle slathering past tense slathered past participle slathered informal to put a lot of a soft thick… …   English dictionary

  • slather — /sladh euhr/, Informal. v.t. 1. to spread or apply thickly: to slather butter on toast. 2. to spread something thickly on (usually fol. by with): to slather toast with butter. 3. to spend or use lavishly. n. 4. Often, slathers. a generous amount …   Universalium

  • slather — slath|er1 [ slæðər ] verb transitive INFORMAL to put a lot of a soft thick substance on a surface, or cover something with such a substance: slather on/over: Onion sauce is slathered over lightly boiled eggs. slather someone/something with… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • slather — [[t]slæ̱ðə(r)[/t]] slathers, slathering, slathered VERB If you slather something with a substance, or slather a substance onto something, you put the substance on in a thick layer. [V n with adv] If your skin is dry, you have to slather on… …   English dictionary

  • slather — slath•er [[t]ˈslæð ər[/t]] v. t. 1) inf to spread or apply thickly: to slather butter on toast[/ex] 2) inf to spread something thickly on (usu. fol. by with): to slather toast with butter[/ex] 3) inf to spend or use lavishly 4) inf Often,… …   From formal English to slang

  • slather — slath|er [ˈslæðə US ər] v [T always + adverb/preposition] AmE to cover something with a thick layer of a soft substance slather sth in/with/on sth ▪ a slice of homemade bread, slathered with jam …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • slather — [ slaδə] informal verb spread or smear thickly or liberally. noun (also slathers) N. Amer. a large amount. Phrases open slather Austral./NZ freedom to act without restriction; free rein. Origin C19: of unknown origin …   English new terms dictionary

  • slather — /ˈslæðə / (say sladhuh) verb (t) 1. to use in large quantities, to lavish. 2. to spread thickly with or on. –noun 3. a lot; a large quantity. {US English (1860s), British dialect slather to slip, slide, related to slidder slippery, sludder mud}… …  

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