lath (1), lat, latt, latte

[A. S. lathe, pl. lætta, latta; cogn. with Dut.'lat; Ger. lathe, lat; Fr. latte. Cf. Welsh llath =a rod, staff, yard.]' I. Ord. Lang.: A slip of wood. "If I do not beat thee out of thy kingdom with a dagger of lath I'll never wear hair on my face more." Shakesp.: Henry IV., Pt . I., ii. 4. II. Technically : 1. Carp .: One of the strips of wood nailed to the rafters to support the roof-covering. 2. Domestic: A bedstead slat for supporting the mattre . 3. Plastering : One of the narrow strips nailed to the studs of partitions to support plastering. Strips of metal are sometimes used for this purpose in fireproof structures. Such laths have means for securing to the studding or wall, and also affording a key to the mortar which is laid thereon. (1) Lath and plaster : Made of laths plastered over. "A home should be built, or with brick, or with stone, Why 'tis plaster and lath ; and I think that's all one." Prior: Down Hall. (2) Lath floated and set fair : Three-coated plasterers' work. The first is called pricking-up, the second floated, the third finishing. (3) Lath laid and set: Two-coated plasterers' work. The first is called laying, the second finishing. lath-brick, s. A long brick, 22 × 6 inches, used for oast or grain-kiln floors.