American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth
Edition - n. A thin strip of wood or metal, usually nailed in
rows to framing supports as a substructure for plaster,
shingles, slates, or tiles. - n. A building material, such as a
sheet of metal mesh, used for similar purposes. - n. A quantity
of laths; lathing. - n. Work made with or from lath. - v. To
build, cover, or line with laths. Century Dictionary and
Cyclopedia - n. A thin narrow strip of wood, used in building to
form the groundwork for a roof or for the plastering of walls
and ceilings. For the former purpose the laths are nailed to the
rafters to support the tiling, slating, or other roof-covering.
Laths for walls and ceilings, much narrower and thinner, are
nailed to the studs, with small spaces between them, into which
a part of the plaster sinks when applied, forming a key or hold
for the remainder. Iron laths have been used in fire-proof
buildings. Sec lathing. - n. The bow-part of a crossbow. - To
cover or line with or as with la