soapn.1
/səʊp/, U.S. /ˈsoʊp/ 1.
a. A substance formed by the combination of certain oils and fats with alkaline bases, and used for washing or cleansing purposes. Now usually distinguished from detergent n.; soap is prepared from natural oils and fats and is precipitated by the ions (notably calcium) present in hard water.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap
soapc1000
sopec1000
scrub1966
α.
β. c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 36 Mare nurð he makeð to ȝeien his sape þen þe riche mercer al his deorewurðe ware.1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 143 Sope aboute couentre & ire at gloucestre.1339–40 in F. R. Chapman Sacrist Rolls Ely (1907) II. 92 In sope empt. pro lotura albarum.c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 127 Of bathing and of waisching with oyl and swope.1499 Coventry Corpus Christi Plays (1902) 89 Paid for shope and gresse to the whyles j.d.1515 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1911) II. 99 He bought Soopp, Tarre, Irne,..and Retailled the same.1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iv. f. 158 As though oyle coulde not be wyped awaye..with sope.1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. ii. 47 They make no sope in all the countrey, but..use to wash with lee made of ashes.1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 156 Heer is also made Sope not inferiour for goodness to that of Castile.γ. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 45 Most part of them would not take Money, but onely Soap, or Tobacco, and chiefly Soap.1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. III. 86 Bologna is likewise celebrated for essences..soap, and snuff.1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby vii. 63 You'll always find a little bit of soap in the kitchen window.a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 827/1 The blocks of rough soap are first cut into thin shavings.1940 J. H. Wigner Soap Manufacture i. 20 In the textile trades soap is largely used for removing the natural impurities from the fibre and detergent properties are the main consideration.1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. (rev. ed.) XII. 393/1 In ordinary usage the term soap specifies an alkali metal or substituted ammonium salt of a straight-chain carboxylic acid 10–18 carbon atoms in length, and the name detergent is given to synthetic materials of similar structure.1972 Materials & Technol. V. x. 295 In synthetic anionic detergents, the main weaknesses associated with the traditional carboxylate soaps, namely, precipitation in hard water and decomposition in acidic solutions, are avoided by the use of other hydrophilic groups in place of the carboxylate group.proverbial.1592 T. Lodge Euphues Shadow G 3 Who washeth the Asses eares, looseth both his Sope and his labour.1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. II. vii. 117 'Twas waste of soap to lather an ass.c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 76 Meng wiþ sote, sealt, teoro,..eald sape.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 124 Lyþre mid sapan.
c1050 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 439 Lumentum, sape.
1371 in J. Raine Fabric Rolls York Minster (1859) 9 Et in sape empto 6d.
c1400 Pol. Poems (Rolls) I. 265 Somme can with a pound of sape Gete him a kyrtelle and a cape.
1455 in J. D. Marwick Charters Edinb. (1871) 80 Wyne, sape, irne, lynnyn clayth.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 113 Schynes lyk ony saep.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. Prol. f. 1 Suppoise thow wesche thi self with saip.
1813 E. Picken Misc. Poems II. 79 Nor saip nor water e'er it fan'.
1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby Seeap, soap.
b. figurative.
Π
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 53 Monie of þas wimmen..smurieð heom mid blanchet þet is þes deofles sape.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 6 With þe sope of sykenesse þat seketh wonder depe.
1725 N. Bailey tr. Erasmus All Familiar Colloquies 570 Such as by the Lather of Tears, and Soap of Repentance,..have washed away their Pollutions.
1840 T. Hood Miss Kilmansegg i, in New Monthly Mag. 60 89 Washing his hands with invisible soap, In imperceptible water.
c. In the slang phrase, how are you off for soap? The early examples afford no clue as to the origin of the expression, and their date is against the view that the sense of ‘money’ (see below) was intended.
ΚΠ
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. iv. 42 A young lady..looked at me very hard and said, ‘Well, Reefer, how are you off for soap?’
1843 W. M. Thackeray Ravenswing viii, in Fraser's Mag. Sept. 331/1 A notorious scoundrel in the Fleet, who invented the Panama Swindle, the Pontine marshes' swindle, the soap swindle—how are you off for soapnow, Mr. W-lk-r?
1886 S. Baring-Gould Court Royal I. ii. 20 They..put their heads into his shop, and asked how he was off for soap.
d. slang. Flattery. Cf. soft soap n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [noun]
fickling?c1225
flattering?c1225
oluhningc1225
glozec1290
glozing1297
losengery1303
blandishingc1305
blandingc1315
flatteryc1320
glotheringc1325
soothinga1400
honey word?1406
faginga1425
flatrisec1440
smekingc1440
blandishc1475
blandiment?1510
glavering1545
coggingc1555
good1563
milksop1577
court holy water1583
glavery1583
blandishment1591
lipsalve1591
court holy bread1592
flatter1593
colloguing1596
sooth1597
daub?1602
blandation1605
lullaby1611
court-water1616
butter1618
blandiloquy1623
oil1645
court-element1649
courtshipment1649
courtship1655
blandiloquence1656
court-creama1657
daubing1656
fleecha1700
Spanish money1699
cajole1719
whiting1721
palaver1733
butter boat1747
flummery1749
treacle1771
Spanish coin1785
blancmange1790
blarney1796
soft corn1814
whillywha1816
carney1818
buttering up1819
soft soap1821
flam1825
slaver1825
soft solder1836
soothing syrup1839
soft-soaping1840
plámás1853
sawder1854
soap1854
salve1859
taffy1878
plámásing1897
flannel1927
smarm1937
flannelling1945
sweet talk1945
schmear1950
smarming1950
1854 D. G. Rossetti Let. 11 May (1965) I. 193 I heard from MacCrae who offers £50 for the water-colour, with all manner of soap and sawder into the bargain.
1859 in Slang Dict. 98.
1876 Diprose Laugh & Learn (Farmer) Flattery is the confectionery of the world. In polite society it goes by the name of soap.
1957 W. Faulkner Town (1958) x. 149 ‘The pattern,’ Uncle Gavin said. ‘First the soap, then the threat, then the bribe.’
e. U.S. slang. Money; now esp. that used in bribery.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > [noun]
silverc825
feec870
pennieseOE
wortheOE
mintOE
scata1122
spense?c1225
spendinga1290
sumc1300
gooda1325
moneya1325
cattlec1330
muckc1330
reasona1382
pecunyc1400
gilt1497
argentc1500
gelta1529
Mammon1539
ale silver1541
scruff1559
the sinews of war1560
sterling1565
lour1567
will-do-all1583
shell1591
trasha1592
quinyie1596
brass1597
pecuniary1604
dust1607
nomisma1614
countera1616
cross and pilea1625
gingerbreada1625
rhinoa1628
cash1646
grig1657
spanker1663
cole1673
goree1699
mopus1699
quid1699
ribbin1699
bustle1763
necessary1772
stuff1775
needfula1777
iron1785
(the) Spanish1788
pecuniar1793
kelter1807
dibs1812
steven1812
pewter1814
brad1819
pogue1819
rent1823
stumpy1828
posh1830
L. S. D.1835
rivetc1835
tin1836
mint sauce1839
nobbins1846
ochre1846
dingbat1848
dough1848
cheese1850
California1851
mali1851
ducat1853
pay dirt1853
boodle?1856
dinero1856
scad1856
the shiny1856
spondulicks1857
rust1858
soap1860
sugar1862
coin1874
filthy1876
wampum1876
ooftish1877
shekel1883
oil1885
oof1885
mon1888
Jack1890
sploshc1890
bees and honey1892
spending-brass1896
stiff1897
mazuma1900
mazoom1901
cabbage1903
lettuce1903
Oscar Asche1905
jingle1906
doubloons1908
kale1912
scratch1914
green1917
oscar1917
snow1925
poke1926
oodle1930
potatos1931
bread1935
moolah1936
acker1939
moo1941
lolly1943
loot1943
poppy1943
mazoola1944
dosh1953
bickies1966
lovely jubbly1990
scrilla1994
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > illegal payment or exaction > [noun] > bribe
gift1382
handy-dandyc1390
pricec1400
bud1436
bribe?a1439
golden (also silver) keyc1450
fee1549
golden shower1589
oil of angels1592
sugar-plum1608
bribera1616
palm oil1625
greasinga1661
sop1665
sweetbreada1670
vail1687
douceur1739
sweetener1741
bonus1759
buckshee1773
smear-gelt1785
grease1823
boodle?1856
soap1860
ice1887
palm-grease1897
poultice1902
fix1929
dropsy1930
pay-off1930
drop1931
oil1935
squeeze-pidgin1946
sling1948
bung1958
back-hander1960
1860 M. O'Connor Lines to Rich Young Lady iii. (Funk & W.) If thy father hath ‘the soap’, Do not wash your hands of me.
1892 Nation 24 Nov. 385/3 This, combined with more or less ‘soap’, was undoubtedly instrumental in causing his defeat.
f. no soap: an announcement of refusal of a request or offer, failure in an attempt, etc.; ‘nothing doing’. slang (originally and chiefly U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [noun] > a denial or refusal > announcement of
nothing doing1910
no soap1926
nossir1930
nyet1950
1926 G. H. Maines & B. Grant Wise-crack Dict. 11/2 No soap, can't talk business.
1929 E. Wilson I thought of Daisy iii. 153 If he tries to cut in on you, don't letum—I'll just tellum, no soap!
1932 J. T. Farrell Young Lonigan vi. 216 Studs said he'd take a dozen or two when Nate brought them around. Nate tried to collect in advance; but Studs was no soap for that.
1939 W. Faulkner Wild Palms 42 I told him. Not that I was to meet you at a hotel. I just said, suppose I did. And he still said no soap.
1948 A. N. Keith Three came Home iii. 72 We would..call across... ‘No-soap!’ or ‘Not to-night!’
1957 J. Kerouac On the Road i. xiii. 86 Terry and I tried to find work at the drive-ins. It was no soap anywhere.
1977 ‘E. Crispin’ Glimpses of Moon vi. 93 ‘The police tried to trace the handkerchief, I take it?’ ‘They did, but no soap.’
g. not to know (someone) from a bar of soap: not to have the slightest acquaintance with. Australian colloquial.
ΚΠ
1938 Smith's Weekly (Sydney) 26 Nov. 23 (caption) I don't know you from a bar of soap.
1943 K. Tennant Ride on Stranger xxv. 319 ‘Why doesn't she marry the child's father?’.. ‘It's my belief she doesn't know him from a bar of soap.’
1970 J. Cleary Helga's Web vii. 130 I've never met any of his—interests. Certainly not this girl. I dunno her from a bar of soap.
h. = soap opera n. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > broadcasting > a broadcast programme or item > [noun] > types of
news bulletin1857
news summary1875
police message1886
newsflash1904
headline1908
play-by-play1909
feature1913
spot ad1916
magazine1921
news1923
time signal1923
outside broadcast1924
radiocast1924
amateur hour1925
bulletin1925
serial1926
commentary1927
rebroadcast1927
school broadcast1927
feature programme1928
trailer1928
hour1930
schools broadcast1930
show1930
spot advertisement1930
spot announcement1930
sustaining1931
flash1934
newscast1934
commercial1935
clambake1937
remote1937
repeat1937
snap1937
soap opera1939
sportcast1939
spot commercial1939
daytimer1940
magazine programme1941
season1942
soap1943
soaper1946
parade1947
public service announcement1948
simulcasting1949
breakfast-time television1952
call-in1952
talkathon1952
game show1953
kidvid1955
roundup1958
telenovela1961
opt-out1962
miniseries1963
simulcast1964
soapie1964
party political1966
novela1968
phone-in1968
sudser1968
schools programme1971
talk-in1971
God slot1972
roadshow1973
trail1973
drama-doc1977
informercial1980
infotainment1980
infomercial1981
kideo1983
talk-back1984
indie1988
omnibus1988
teleserye2000
kidult-
1943 N.Y. Times Mag. 28 Mar. 19 Within these specifications, there is a deal of shrewd craftsmanship in the preparation of the ‘soaps’.
1958 New Statesman 12 Apr. 455/3 Pay-TV will lure whatever is good in television now and leave those who cannot afford to pay for programmes stuck with an unvaried diet of soap and corn.
1969 A. Arent Laying on of Hands vi. 46 I was one of five writers doing a daytime soap. One script a week.
1974 Anderson (S. Carolina) Independent 20 Apr. 5 a/2 Agnes..had landed a job dialoging soaps for well-known television writer Irna Phillips.
1978 Amer. Poetry Rev. July–Aug. 19/3 If you turn on day-time T.V. you will see most of his actors playing rather similar roles in the soaps.
2.
a. soap of glass n. (also glassmaker's soap) see quots.
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society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > glass and glass-like materials > [noun] > glass-making materials
metal1589
saffora1604
massacote1622
frit1662
polverine1662
rochetta1662
tarso1662
Spanish ashes1725
bollito1753
glass-maker's manganese1797
soap of glass1815
cullet1817
muff1820
batch1874
the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > oxides and hydroxides > [noun] > rutile and uranite groups A02 > manganese dioxide
brownstone1657
manganese1662
magnesia1677
soap of glass1815
pyrolusite1828
varvicite1829
polianite1849
manganese dioxide1866
pelagite1876
manganese oxide1882
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 409 A mineral, called the soap of glass,..is the oxide of a peculiar metal called manganese.
1895 J. M. Thomson & A. G. Bloxam Bloxam's Chem. (ed. 8) 481 Manganese dioxide (glassmaker's soap) is often added as an oxidising agent.
b. rock soap, a variety of bole.
Π
1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 425 Magnesian Silicates... Bole. Earthy, in nests and veins... Stolpenite, Rock Soap, Plinthite..are varieties.
3. With a and plural. A kind of soap.
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the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > type of soap
soap1562
1562 W. Turner Herball (1568) ii. 113 The wild rape..serueth for scouring oyntmentes and sopes.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 115 It's used also in powders, sopes,..and suffumigations.
1712 J. Browne tr. P. Pomet et al. Compl. Hist. Druggs I. 158 This Soap is very scarce in France.
1744 G. Berkeley Siris (ESTC T72826) §58 Common soaps are compositions of lixivial salt and oil.
1806 ‘Ignotus’ Culina (ed. 3) 175 The yolk of an egg..is a natural soap, and in all jaundice cases, no food is equal to it.
1811 A. T. Thomson London Dispensatory i. p. lvii Soaps are hydrates, water being always present in them as a constituent.
1842 J. Bischoff Comprehensive Hist. Woollen Manuf. II. 84 It would bring to this country the manufacture of fine soaps.
Compounds
C1. With distinctive modifiers, denoting a particular make or kind of soap.See also black soap n. at black adj. and n. Compounds 1e(a), Castile soap n., soft soap n., and curd, lead, marine, resin or rosin, soda, Spanish soap.
a.
alkaline soap n.
Π
1786 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 76 156 Then evaporating it, [I] obtained a true alkaline soap.
arsenical soap n.
Π
1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting iii. 73 I..regretted much that I had no arsenical soap to preserve the skin.
ball soap n.
Π
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Soap Ball-Soap, commonly used in the North, is made with Lyes from Ashes and Tallow.
brick soap n.
Π
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Brick Some also mention..brick-soap, made in oblong pieces.
carbolic soap n.
Π
1882 F. Nightingale in Quain's Dict. Med. 1046 Wash hands and nails carefully with carbolic soap.
common soap n.
Π
1704 Dict. Rusticum (at cited word) Soft Soap, such as are the common Soap, so called, and black Soap.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 434/1 Common soap is composed of any kind of oil..with fixed alkali.
french soap n.
Π
1612 Mr. King tr. Benvenuto Passenger i. i. 23 French sope to scouer my hands.
fullers soap n.
Π
1611 Bible (King James) Mal. iii. 2 Like a refiners fire, and like fullers sope . View more context for this quotation
1638 Penit. Conf. (1657) 346 Whose drosse..is so much..as no Fullers sope can cleanse.
green soap n.
Π
1845 Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 435 [Soft] soap from oleaginous seeds, called green soaps.
hard soap n.
Π
a1500 Walter of Henley's Husbandry (Sloane) (1890) 49 Medell it with harde sope or tarre.
1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. iii. 195 The inhabitants make great store of liquid sope, for they know not how to make hard sope.
1704 Dict. Rusticum (at cited word) The other hard Soap being made in the same manner.
1813 H. Davy Elements Agric. Chem. iii. 90 Fixed oil, in combination with soda, forms the finest kind of hard soap.
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1142 According to the practice of the United Kingdom, six or seven days are required to complete the formation of a pan of hard soap.
marbled soap n.
Π
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1143 Soda which contains sulphurets is preferred for making the mottled or marbled soap.
perfumed soap n.
Π
1704 Dict. Rusticum (at cited word) That known by the name of perfumed Soap.
potash soap n.
Π
c1865 H. Letheby in J. Wylde Circle of Sci. I. 329/2 The compounds of fatty acids with potash are called potash-soaps.
scented soap n.
Π
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1149 The scented soap..speedily consolidates.
sweet soap n.
Π
1611–2 Shuttleworths' Acc. (Chetham Soc.) 198 Twoe pound of swete sope.
white soap n.
Π
c1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 76 Of which forseid [things] white sope may euer more be necessary to a leche.
1539 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) 58 They be somtyme made..of white sope.
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique (at cited word) To make White Soap, take Two Hundred Pounds of Black Salt~wort [etc.].
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 812 The finest white soap, grated small.
yellow soap n.
Π
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1144 Of yellow or rosin soap.
b.
soap of Alicant n.
Π
1702 R. Neve Apopiroscopy i. 49 You may mix with your Gluten, either Milk, or Soap of Alicant.
1842 Penny Cycl. XXII. 171/1 White soda soap..in a less pure state,..is called Alicant, Venice, or Spanish soap.
soap of lime n.
Π
1884 W. S. B. McLaren Spinning Woollen & Worsted (ed. 2) 28 The lime..unites with the oil and tallow, forming what is called an insoluble lime soap.
soap of soda n.
C2.
a. General attributive.
(a) In miscellaneous use.
soap bath n.
Π
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxvii. 339 Soap baths..always constituted the first steps of treatment in every form of eruption.
soap-bell n. Scottish
ΚΠ
1720 A. Ramsay Rise & Fall of Stocks 24 As little bairns frae winnocks hy Drap down saip bells.
1862 G. Wilson Religio Chemici 19 A soap-bell sails through it with impunity.
soap business n.
Π
1635 W. Laud Diary in Wks. (1853) III. 223 The soap business was..settled again upon the new corporation.
soap-factory n.
Π
1861 Eng. Cycl., Arts & Sci. VII. 636 Some of the soap-factories of the present day.
soap-film n.
Π
1924 R. M. Ogden tr. K. Koffka Growth of Mind iii. 105 A soap-film is produced upon a wire-frame..and upon it a little noose of thread is cast in whatever form it may take.
1976 Sci. Amer. July 93/3 The area-minimizing principle alone is sufficient to account for the overall geometry of soap films and soap bubbles.
soap-froth n.
Π
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. v. iii. 303 But Towns are not built of soap-froth.
soap-lather n.
Π
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. 238 His face frothed up to the eyes with soap lather.
1832 T. Carlyle in Fraser's Mag. Apr. 260/1 With artificial fictitious soap-lather.
soap manufactory n.
Π
1820 J. Cleland Rise & Progress Glasgow 87 An Act was made for encouraging Soap manufactories.
soap manufacture n.
Π
1842 Penny Cycl. XXII. 170/1 The Soap Manufacture is one of considerable importance.
soap-pad n.
Π
1958 Listener 16 Oct. 627/1 Scour round the inside with a steel wool soap-pad.
soap-pipe n.
Π
1956 S. Beckett Malone Dies (1958) 21 I remember the soap-pipe with which, as a child, I used to blow bubbles.
soap-principle n.
Π
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. II. 952/2 Saponine, a vegetable soap-principle.
soap size n.
Π
1880 J. Dunbar Pract. Papermaker 54 Soap size, made and used in the interior of Russia.
soap-tablet n.
Π
1920 D. H. Lawrence Lost Girl iv. 52 Happiness is a sort of soap-tablet—he won't be happy till he gets it.
soap tallow n.
Π
1799 Hull Advertiser 28 Dec. 2/3 Ten casks soap tallow.
soap trade n.
Π
1842 Penny Cycl. XXII. 170 Soap Trade.
1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 204/2 In England the soap trade did not exist till the 16th century.
soap-waste n.
Π
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 577 The roasted soap-waste was then withdrawn.
(b) In the names of apparatus used in making soap.
soap-cauldron n.
Π
1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount f. 19v It shall be good to set the saied cawdron..as Sope cawdrons be set.
1790 in Essex Rev. (1906) XV. 87 The sugar-houses and soap-cauldrons.
soap copper n.
Π
1863 in Richardson & Watts Chem. Technol. I. 680 Any alkali..which may be introduced into the soap copper.
soap engine n.
Π
1873 R. Hunt Weale's Dict. Terms Archit. (ed. 4) 411/1 Soap-engine, a machine upon which the slabs of soap are piled to be cross-cut into bars.
soap frame n.
Π
1857 W. A. Miller Elements Chem. III. vi. §1. 372 It is then cleansed or transferred to the soap frames to cool.
soap kettle n.
Π
1874 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. I. 660/2 Curb,..an inclined circular plate around the margin of a soap or salt kettle.
soap mill n.
soap pan n.
Π
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1145 The soap-pans used in the United Kingdom are made of cast iron.
(c) With the sense ‘used for holding soap’.
soap basket n.
Π
1926–7 Army & Navy Stores Catal. 122 Wire sponge and soap basket. For hanging on bath, etc.—1/–.
1975 New Yorker 17 Nov. 145/1 We found an assortment of brass soap baskets to hook over the side of the tub.
soap beck n.
Π
1844 G. Dodd Textile Manuf. Great Brit. ii. 53 In all such machines, whether called ‘dye-becks’, ‘soap-becks’, or others.
1874 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. I. 260/1 A soap-beck contains soap-suds.
soap-case n.
Π
1895 G. Meredith Amazing Marriage I. viii. 91 He came back bearing his metal soap-case.
soap chest n.
Π
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. iii. i. 163 Likewise coffee-chests, soap-chests.
soap dish n.
Π
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xli. 449 An old cracked basin, ewer, and soap-dish.
soap tray n.
Π
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 368/1 A green and white chamber service.., with soap trays and brush trays.
(d) (In sense 1h.)
soap fan n.
Π
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 10 July 16/2 Real soap fans have a dozen or so fan magazines, newspapers, and newsletters.
soap land n.
Π
1948 Time 11 Oct. 40/3 The Beast in Me also includes such matter as Humorist Thurber's grimly unhumorous ‘Soapland’ (studies in contemporary soap opera).
1978 Times 29 Aug. 1/8 The dedicated soap watcher..can switch channels for a solid five hours..until, at 4.30 p.m...soap-land is closed for another day.
soap star n.
Π
1977 Guardian Weekly 17 Apr. 18/1 People who resent the behaviour of a character she plays don't walk up and slap her, as has happened to more than one American soap star.
soap watcher n.
Π
1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount f. 41 Mingle it with the saied Sope water.
1847 W. C. L. Martin Ox 155/1 Injections..of soap~water and oil.
b.
(a)
(i) With nouns denoting persons, as soap-grinder, soap-monger, soap-patentee, soap-projector, soap-seller, etc.
Π
(a)
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 687 Hic smigmator, a sop~seler.
1549 Bale in Cheeke Hurt of Sedition (1641) Pref. sig. a ivv Some they sold to the Grociers and Sope-sellers.
1646 (title) A Looking-Glasse for Sope-Patentees…making discovery of a new Project..propounded (by the Sope-Projectors) to the Parliament.
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. Table The Sope-houses at Lambeth, with the Sope Patentee belonging to them.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters iii. 337 Let the sope~mongers learn not to counteract their boasted agent.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 456 Lime is used by the soap-manufacturer to render soda caustic.
?1881 Census Eng. & Wales: Instr. Clerks classifying Occupations & Ages (?1885) 77 Dry Soap Grinder. Soap Trimmer.
(ii) In names of appliances, as soap-cutter, soap-holder, soap-saver. Also soap-boiler n., soap-maker n.
Π
(b)
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §631 Space for soap-holders, brush-trays, &c.
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 827/1 Soap Cutter, an apparatus for caking or barring soap.
1919 T. Eaton & Co. Catal. Spring–Summer 366/4 Wire soap saver 7 c.
1973 Listener 25 Jan. 117/2 The soap-saver..was made like a diffuser-spoon, but bigger, with a basket of open wire-mesh.
(b) With verbal nouns, as soap-barring, soap-cutting, etc. Chiefly in attributive use.
Π
1851 Official Descriptive & Illustr. Catal. Great Exhib. I. p. c Soap-cutting Machine.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2232/2 Soap Barring and Caking Machine.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2233/1 Soap-crutching Machine.
1899 Daily News 23 May 10/2 Soap Stamping and Packing Departments.
(c) Similative, as soap-like, soap-smooth adjs.
Π
1858 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) 1169/1 The offensive soap-like substance.
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. II. 952/2 Trees..possessing soap-like properties.
1949 E. Pound Pisan Cantos (new ed.) lxxvi. 45 By the soap~smooth stone posts.
(d) Instrumental, as soap-filled adj.
Π
1970 Which? May 149/2 The cheapest soap-filled pads cost nearly 2d each.
c.
(a) Special combinations.† soap-earth n. Obsolete soapstone.† soap-scale n. Obsolete a kind of clay (see quot.).
soap-ball n. a piece of soap formed as a ball, now esp. by the admixture of starch.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > form of soap
soft soap?a1425
washing-ball1538
ball1575
tablet1582
musk ball1589
liquid soap1600
soap-ball1601
wash-ball1601
savonette1702
brick soap1753
bar-soap1824
bar1834
sand-ball1846
soap powder1865
leaf1882
soap leaf1909
soap flakes1926
shower gel1970
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 420 Those sope balls that are to polish the skin and to rid it from wrinkles.
1830 W. Scott Doom of Devorgoil iii. i. 143 My soap-ball is of the mild alkali made.
soap-bark v. transitive, to clean (garments) with soap-bark.
Π
1930 Cambr. Daily News 25 Sept. 3/4 Gym slips should not be washed... It is much better at the beginning of the season to soap-bark them.
soap-cerate n. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > preparations allaying inflammation > [noun] > mineral-derived
Goulard1806
soap-cerate1852
lead-water1875
lead-wash1876
1852 J. F. Royle Man. Materia Med. (ed. 2) 540 Ceratum Saponis Compositum. Compound Soap Cerate.
a1860 G. B. Wood & F. Bache Dispensatory U.S.A. (1865) 1044 Soap-cerate..is used in scrofulous swellings and other instances of chronic external inflammation.
1876 J. Harley Royle's Man. Materia Med. (ed. 6) 243 Soap Cerate Plaster. This is a mixture of lead, soap, and the acetates of lead and soda.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > mineral material > [noun] > talc or steatite
Venetian earth1660
soap-stone1681
soap-earth1696
Venetian talca1728
soap-rock1746
steatite1758
lapis ollaris1794
lardite1794
ollite1811
Venetian chalk1839
Venice talc1867
French chalk1882
the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > silicates > phyllosilicate > [noun] > talc > steatite
Venetian earth1660
soap-stone1681
soap-earth1696
Venetian talca1728
soap-rock1746
steatite1758
lapis ollaris1794
lardite1794
ollite1811
Venetian chalk1839
Venice talc1867
1696 Philos. Trans. 1695–7 (Royal Soc.) 19 228 There is a considerable natural curiosity in the Neighbourhood of Smyrna, called by the Franks Soap-Earth.
1758 W. Borlase Nat. Hist. Cornwall 70 Near Smyrna there is a fine whitish soap-earth.
soap extract n. (see quot.).
Π
1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 204/1 ‘Soap powders’ and ‘soap extracts’ are simply preparations of alkalis.
soap-fat n. (see quot. 1879).
ΘΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > other manufactured or derived materials > [noun] > soap-making materials
soap-lees1746
soap-lye1774
soap-fat1839
soda-lye1839
1839 Knickerbocker Mag. 13 346 He clambered up on the top, with a turning screw in one hand and a horn of soap-fat in the other.
1855 Knickerbocker Mag. 45 364 The surly soap-fat man can talk of soap-fat only.
1879 Webster's Dict. Suppl. Soap-fat, the refuse of kitchens, used in making soap.
soap-fish n. (see quot.).
Π
1876 G. B. Goode Catal. Fishes Bermudas 60 A ‘Soap-fish’ also occurs, probably either Rhypticus saponaceus..or Promicropterus maculatus.
soap flakes n. plural soap in the form of thin flakes for washing clothes, etc.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > form of soap
soft soap?a1425
washing-ball1538
ball1575
tablet1582
musk ball1589
liquid soap1600
soap-ball1601
wash-ball1601
savonette1702
brick soap1753
bar-soap1824
bar1834
sand-ball1846
soap powder1865
leaf1882
soap leaf1909
soap flakes1926
shower gel1970
1926–7 Army & Navy Stores Catal. 38/2 Soap Flakes—lb., –/8.
1933 ‘G. Orwell’ Down & Out xii. 91 There are no soap-flakes, only the treacly soft soap.
1967 N. Freeling Strike Out 137 It was a little like a copywriter presenting an advertising campaign to a soapflakes manufacturer.
soap-house n. a soap-boiler's premises.
ΘΠ
society > occupation and work > workplace > place where specific things are made > [noun] > soap
soap-house1648
soap-work1649
soapery1674
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. 5 Of the Sope-houses at Lambeth.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. i. sig. Kkkv/2 Savonnerie,..a Sope-house, a Place where Soap is made.
1810 Sporting Mag. 35 80 The corner of the soap house.
1854 Hull Improv. Act 33 Any candle-house..or soap-house.
soap leaf n. a leaf of soap (see leaf n.1 6b).
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > form of soap
soft soap?a1425
washing-ball1538
ball1575
tablet1582
musk ball1589
liquid soap1600
soap-ball1601
wash-ball1601
savonette1702
brick soap1753
bar-soap1824
bar1834
sand-ball1846
soap powder1865
leaf1882
soap leaf1909
soap flakes1926
shower gel1970
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. Soap-leaf.
1925 G. Martin Mod. Soap & Detergent Industry II. i. ii. 35 Soap Leaves are prepared by passing continuous paper sheets over rollers through a hot solution of soap, the excess of soap attached to the surface being scraped off. The paper is then passed over drying cylinders and from thence to a cutting machine.
1978 Times 4 Nov. 24/5 Good presents for adults: a book of soap leaves.
soap-lees n. spent soap-lye.
ΘΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > other manufactured or derived materials > [noun] > soap-making materials
soap-lees1746
soap-lye1774
soap-fat1839
soda-lye1839
1746 B. Langrish Physical Exper. Brutes 19 Injecting too great a quantity of Soap-lees.
1774 W. Buchan Domest. Med. (ed. 3) xxxii. 356 The caustic alcali, or soap-lees, is the medicine chiefly in vogue at present for the stone.
1842 Penny Cycl. XXII. 169/1 The nuisance of soap-lees waggons passing through London.
soap-liniment n. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines of specific form > ointments, etc. > [noun] > liniment > soap liniment
soap-liniment1852
1852 J. F. Royle Man. Materia Med. (ed. 2) 540 Linimentum Saponis... Soap Liniment... Stimulant Embrocation. A vehicle for Opium, &c.
1864 Chambers's Encycl. VI. 141/2 Soap Liniment, or Opodeldoc, the constituents of which are soap, camphor, and spirits of rosemary.
soap-lock n. U.S. a lock of hair made smooth by the application of soap; hence, one who wears such, a low fellow, a rough or rowdy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > baseness > base person > [noun]
houndOE
hinderlingc1175
whelpc1330
vilec1400
beasta1425
dog bolt1465
shake-rag1571
vassal1589
brock1607
shag-rag1611
shack-rag1612
slubberdegullion1612
baseling1618
shag1620
shab1637
slabberdegullion1653
whiffler1659
hang-dog1693
reptile1697
Nobodaddyc1793
skunk1816
spalpeen1817
tiger1827
soap-lock1840
shake1846
white mouse1846
sweep1853
shuck1862
whiffmagig1871
scrubber1876
ullage1901
jelly bean1905
heel1914
dirty dog1928
crud1932
crut1937
klunk1942
crudball1968
scumbag1971
bawbag1999
the world > life > the body > hair > hair of head > lock or locks > [noun]
lockeOE
forelockc1000
hair-lockc1000
earlockOE
foretopc1290
tressc1290
lachterc1375
fuke1483
sidelock1530
proudfallc1540
widow's locka1543
folding1552
fore-bush1591
flake1592
witch knot1598
tuft1603
French lock1614
head-lock1642
witch-lock1682
rat's tail1706
side-curl1749
scalp knot1805
rat-tail1823
straggler1825
scalping-tuft1826
scalp-lock1827
aggravator1835
soap-lock1840
payess1845
stringleta1852
list1859
tresslet1882
drake's tail1938
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > low or vulgar person > [noun]
gadlinga1300
geggea1300
churlc1300
filec1300
jot1362
scoutc1380
beggara1400
carla1400
turnbroach14..
villainc1400
gnoffc1405
fellowc1425
cavelc1430
haskardc1487
hastardc1489
foumart1508
strummel?a1513
knapper1513
hogshead?1518
jockeya1529
dreng1535
sneakbill1546
Jack1548
rag1566
scald1575
huddle and twang1578
sneaksby1580
companion1581
lowling1581
besognier1584
patchcock1596
grill1597
sneaksbill1602
scum1607
turnspit1607
cocoloch1610
compeer1612
dust-worm1621
besonioa1625
world-worma1625
besognea1652
gippo1651
Jacky1653
mechanic1699
fustya1732
grub-worm1752
raff1778
person1782
rough scuff1816
spalpeen1817
bum1825
sculpin1834
soap-lock1840
tinka1843
'Arry1874
scruff1896
scruffo1959
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [noun] > rough or boisterous > person
barratorc1440
brawlc1440
outcrier1535
tear-rogue1685
breacher1697
rowdy1814
roughiea1819
roughneck1834
rough1837
soap-lock1840
roughhouser1901
gurrier1936
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > styles of hair > [noun] > lock of hair worn in a specific style
sidelock1530
glib1537
cow-lick1598
soap-lock1840
Newgate knocker1851
quiff1890
comb-over1980
spike1981
1840 Daily Picayune (New Orleans) 30 Aug. 2/2 Howard..is described as..wearing moustaches and soap~locks.
1842 ‘Uncle Sam’ Peculiarities I. 119 You are an incendiary, a robber by profession, a soap-lock and a loafer.
1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms Soap-Lock, a lock of hair made to lie smooth by soaping it. Hence also..a Rowdy or Loafer.
1854 ‘M. Harland’ Alone xvi Shaking..at the prospect of..the loss of your soap-locks.
1864 T. L. Nichols 40 Years Amer. Life I. 173 A German Jew, with..soaplocks that would have astonished the Bowery in the palmiest days of soaplockism.
soap-lye n. a caustic alkaline lye obtained by running water upon alternate layers of soda ash and quicklime, and used in soap-making.
ΘΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > other manufactured or derived materials > [noun] > soap-making materials
soap-lees1746
soap-lye1774
soap-fat1839
soda-lye1839
1774 T. Percival Ess. Med. & Exper. (1776) III. 144 The soap ley is so caustic..that it can be taken only in the smallest quantity.
1857 W. A. Miller Elements Chem. III. viii. 547 It is digested in an imperfect soap ley.
1883 R. Haldane Workshop Receipts 2nd Ser. 311/1 The..production of crude glycerine from spent soap-lyes.
soapman n. Scottish a soap-maker.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > producer > soap-maker > [noun]
soaper?c1225
soap-maker1483
soap-boiler1594
soapman1813
1813 E. Picken Misc. Poems II. 79 In vain was fill'd the saipman's pan.
soap plaster n. a healing-plaster chiefly composed of soap.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > equipment for treating wound or ulcer > [noun] > poultice, plaster, or compress
plasterOE
clydec1325
emplastera1382
entretea1400
pottagea1400
poulticea1400
faldellac1400
treatc1400
Gratia Dei?a1425
magdaleon?a1425
strictorya1425
grace of Godc1450
emplastrum?1541
malagma?1541
sparadrap1543
spasmadrap?a1547
plasture?1550
mustard plaster1562
cataplasm1563
oint-plaster1578
quilt1583
compress1599
compression1599
diachylum-plaster1599
pulment1599
pulvinar1599
frontlet1600
sinapism1601
epithemation1615
diapalma1646
opodeldoc1646
attraction1656
treacle plaster1659
melilot emplaster1676
stay1676
oxycroceum1696
melilot plaster1712
adhesive1753
bag1753
mustard poultice1765
soap plaster1789
water dressing1830
poor man's plaster1833
compressor1851
spongiopiline1851
vinegar-poultice1854
water-strapping1854
pitch-plaster1858
jacket poultice1862
mustard leaf1869
mustard paper1874
piline1874
plaster-mull1890
mustard cloth1897
plaster-muslin1899
antiphlogistin1901
1789 Med. Communications 2 344 The..applications were changed for a soap plaister.
1876 J. Harley Royle's Man. Materia Med. (ed. 6) 243 Soap Plaster.
soap powder n. (see quot. 1887 for soap extract n.); also loosely, detergent in the form of a powder.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > form of soap
soft soap?a1425
washing-ball1538
ball1575
tablet1582
musk ball1589
liquid soap1600
soap-ball1601
wash-ball1601
savonette1702
brick soap1753
bar-soap1824
bar1834
sand-ball1846
soap powder1865
leaf1882
soap leaf1909
soap flakes1926
shower gel1970
1865 H. Mayhew Shops & Companies of London 199/1 I can always make quick work of my washing by using ‘Harper Twelvetrees’ Glycerine Soap-Powder’, and it makes the clothes beautifully clean and white.
1964 M. Drabble Garrick Year xii. 193 Putting in my second instalment of soap-powder.
1970 G. Greer Female Eunuch 325 Some of the mark-up on soap powders..could be avoided.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > clay > [noun] > in coal measures
clunch1686
soap-scale1704
sill1774
poundstone1799
clunch-clay1815
blond-metal1831
1704 Dict. Rusticum at Clay Cowshot-Clay, or the Soap-scale lying in Coal-mines.
soapstock n. (also soap-stock) a crude, partially saponified mixture of fatty acids formed as a by-product in the refining of natural fats.
ΘΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > greasy or fatty material > [noun] > derived from animals > by-product of refining
soapstock1895
1895 R. Benedikt & J. Lewkowitsch Chem. Anal. Oils, Fats, Waxes xii. 632 (heading) Examination of the fatty matter (‘soap stock’).
1924 Myddleton & Barry Fats iii. 35 The recovery of oil from the soap-stock depends for its commercial success upon the ruling prices of the edible oil.
1972 Materials & Technol. V. x. 279 [In soap-making] use is also made of by-product fatty materials such as soapstocks and curd oils.
soap-test n. (see quot.).
Π
1861 Eng. Cycl., Arts & Sci. VII. 637 Soap-test, a solution of white curd soap in proof spirit; it is used in ascertaining the amount of hardness of waters.
soap-work n. (also soap-works) a soap-manufactory.
ΘΠ
society > occupation and work > workplace > place where specific things are made > [noun] > soap
soap-house1648
soap-work1649
soapery1674
1649 Sc. Acts, Chas. II (1872) VI. ii. 300/2 The preiudice whilk the decay of the Sopeworkis has occasioned to the kingdome.
1695 Sc. Acts, Will. III (1822) IX. 491/2 The said Robert Douglas his Soap work.
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1143 Great waste of alkali..in many soap-works.
(b) Forming names of plants or trees, or their products.
soap-apple n. (see quots.).
Π
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 317/1 Soap Apple, Sapindus.
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Soap-plant, one of several plants used in the place of soap, as the Phalangium pomeridianum, a Californian plant... It is called also soap-apple and soap-tree.
soap-bark n. a vegetable principle obtained from certain trees, as the Quillaja Saponaria of Chile, the common soapwort, Saponaria officinalis, and allied species, and used as a substitute for soap; saponin.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > soap substitute
soap-fruit1666
shagbark1691
soapberry1693
soap-root1846
soap-nut1858
soap-bark1861
soap-pod1866
soapine1883
1861 Eng. Cycl., Arts & Sci. VII. 636 A substance called soap bark was brought to Europe from some tropical country in 1859.
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. II. 952/2 Its bark, called Quillai or Soap-bark, is rough and dark coloured.
1883 R. Haldane Workshop Receipts 2nd Ser. 139/1 An article..is brushed with a cold decoction of soap~bark.
soap-bulb n. the soap-plant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > plants yielding soap > [noun] > soap-plant
amole1831
soap-plant1847
soap-bulb1874
1874 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. (rev. ed.) Suppl. 1279/2 Chlorogalum pomeridianum... The bulbous root, when rubbed in water, makes a lather..: hence it is known as the Soap-bulb.
soap-fruit n. = soapberry n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > plants yielding soap > [noun] > fruit or nut yielding soap > soapberry
soap-fruit1666
soapberry1693
soap-nut1858
soap-pod1866
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > soap substitute
soap-fruit1666
shagbark1691
soapberry1693
soap-root1846
soap-nut1858
soap-bark1861
soap-pod1866
soapine1883
1666 J. Davies tr. C. de Rochefort Hist. Caribby-Islands 48 One fruit..about the bigness of a small Plumb..is commonly called the Soap-fruit.
soap-gentian n. U.S. soapwort gentian.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Gentianaceae (gentians) > [noun]
gentianOE
fieldwooda1393
baldmoney1393
caresweeta1400
felwort1526
calathian violet1578
crosswort gentian1578
harvest-bell1597
gentianella1633
blue violet1649
marsh gentian1690
vernal gentian1728
pennywort1817
meadow pink1827
soap-gentian1845
soapwort gentian1845
autumn-bells1863
windflower1866
willow gentian1883
1845–50 A. H. Lincoln Familiar Lect. Bot. (new ed.) App. 105 Gentiana saponaria,..Soap gentian.
soap-nut n. = soapberry n.; also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > plants yielding soap > [noun] > fruit or nut yielding soap > soapberry
soap-fruit1666
soapberry1693
soap-nut1858
soap-pod1866
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > soap substitute
soap-fruit1666
shagbark1691
soapberry1693
soap-root1846
soap-nut1858
soap-bark1861
soap-pod1866
soapine1883
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Soap-nut, a name for the seed of the Mimosa abstergens.
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. I. 5/2 The pods of Acacia concinna are used in India like those of the soap-nut for washing the head.
1884 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 665/1 Soap nuts are the fruits of various species of Sapindus, especially S. Saponaria, natives of tropical regions.
soap-plant n. U.S. an American liliaceous plant, Chlorogalum pomeridianum, used as a detersive; also, the soapberry.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > plants yielding soap > [noun] > soap-plant
amole1831
soap-plant1847
soap-bulb1874
1847 G. F. Ruxton Adventures Mexico & Rocky Mts. xxv. 222 A barren rolling prairie..covered with the palmilla or soap-plant.
1859 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 2) 425 Soap-plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum), a plant common in California and New Mexico.
1891 Cent. Dict. (at cited word) Indian soap-plant,..the soapberry Sapindus acuminatus, and..the Chlorogalum.
soap-pod n. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > plants yielding soap > [noun] > fruit or nut yielding soap > soapberry
soap-fruit1666
soapberry1693
soap-nut1858
soap-pod1866
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > soap substitute
soap-fruit1666
shagbark1691
soapberry1693
soap-root1846
soap-nut1858
soap-bark1861
soap-pod1866
soapine1883
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. II. 1068/1 Soap-pods, the Chinese name of the pods of several species of Cæsalpinia.
1891 Cent. Dict. Soapnut,..the fruit of..Acacia concinna... Also [called] soap-pod.
soap-root n. (see quot. 1866).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > plants yielding soap > [noun] > other plants yielding soap
soap-tree1666
shagbark1691
quillay1717
quillaia1846
soap-root1846
savonette1864
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > soap substitute
soap-fruit1666
shagbark1691
soapberry1693
soap-root1846
soap-nut1858
soap-bark1861
soap-pod1866
soapine1883
1846 J. Lindley Veg. Kingdom 497 Vaccaria vulgaris..contains Saponine, as also does the Egyptian Soap-root.
1866 Chambers's Encycl. VIII. 793/1 The Egyptian Soap-root (Gypsophila struthium), and the Spanish Soap-root (G. Hispanica),..have been employed for washing from time immemorial.
soap-tree n. one or other of various species of trees or plants (see later quots.), of which the roots, leaves, or fruits yield a substitute for soap; also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > plants yielding soap > [noun] > other plants yielding soap
soap-tree1666
shagbark1691
quillay1717
quillaia1846
soap-root1846
savonette1864
1666 J. Davies tr. C. de Rochefort Hist. Caribby-Islands 48 There are two sorts of Trees..called the Soap-trees from the vertue they have to whiten clothes.
1756 P. Browne Civil & Nat. Hist. Jamaica ii. ii. 206 The Soap Tree [Sapindus]... The seed-vessels of this plant are very detersive and acrid.
1859 All Year Round 3 Dec. 127 In Chili there is a soap-tree called Quillaya saponaria.
soap-weed n. †(a) the soapwort, Saponaria officinalis; (b) a North American plant (see quots. 1884, 1890).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Caryophyllaceae (chickweeds and allies) > [noun] > soapwort
boritha1382
crowsoapa1400
saponera1400
foam-dockc1500
fuller's grass1526
saponary1526
scour-wort1548
soapwort1548
mock gillyflower1578
soapwort gentian1578
struthion1587
soap-weed1607
gill-run-by-the-street1640
candify1727
saponaria1865
bouncing-Bet1884
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > cultivated or ornamental trees and shrubs > [noun] > yuccas
yucca1664
Adam's Needle1730
bear grass1750
Spanish Bayonet1823
yucca-tree1828
Spanish dagger1859
dagger-plant1866
dasylirion1880
sotol1881
soap-weed1884
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 649 New shorne wooll which is very soft, and not trimmed with sope-weed.
1884 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 401 Y[ucca] filamentosa, commonly called amole or soap-weed.
1890 A. C. Gunter Miss Nobody iv Bare of everything..but gemma grasses, soap weed, and small cacti.
soapwood n. the timber-tree or shrub Clethra tinifolia, native to the West Indies; also, a North American plant (see quot. 1771).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Melastomaceae family or plant > [noun] > meadow beauty
soapwood1733
rhexia1755
deer-grass1866
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular timber trees or shrubs > non-British timber trees > [noun] > of South America or West Indies
sweetwood1607
mastic1657
acajou1666
bastard locust tree1670
bastard locust tree1670
alligator wood1696
muskwood1696
lancewood1697
rodwood1716
cog-wood1725
soapwood1733
down tree?1740
pigeon plum1743
break-axe tree1756
horse-wood1756
loblolly whitewood1756
Spanish elm1756
trumpet-tree1756
ahuehuete1778
ocote1787
locust tree1795
Madeira wood1796
peroba1813
roble1814
louro1816
cecropia1824
purple heart1825
wallaba1825
trumpet-wood1836
gumbo-limbo1837
poui1838
quebracho1839
snake-wood1843
yacca1843
horseflesh wood1851
necklace tree1858
Honduras rosewood1860
turanira1862
softwood1864
wattle-wood1864
balsa tree1866
primavera1871
rauli1874
lemon-wood1879
wheel-tree1882
Spanish stopper1883
gurgeon-stopper1884
pinkwood-tree1884
stopper1884
sloth-tree1885
imbaubaa1893
Spanish cedar1907
amarant1909
Parana pine1916
imbuya1919
mastic-bully1920
banak1921
timbo1924
becuiba1934
1733 Philos. Trans. 1731–2 (Royal Soc.) 37 450 Soap-wood. The Bark and Leaves of this Tree being bruised and mixed with Water produce a Lather.
1771 J. R. Forster Flora Amer. Septentrionalis 17 Soapwood, Rhexia virginica.
1864 A. H. R. Grisebach Flora Brit. W. Indian Islands 787/2 Soapwood, Clethra tinifolia.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
soapn.2
/səʊp/, U.S. /ˈsoʊp/ slang.
Sodium pentothal, or a mixture of this and an amphetamine, used as a truth drug.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [noun] > substance
truth serum1913
truth drug1922
soap1975
1975 Observer 23 Nov. (Colour Suppl.) 25/4 Soap,..the principal ingredient in truth serum.
1980 J. Gardner Garden of Weapons iii. xiv. 372 Soap—as the Service called it—would sometimes produce spectacular results: the so-called first truth drug. In pentathol veritas.
1983 M. Hartland Down among Dead Men xv. 128 Dr. Berry..gave me a soap injection... It makes you semi-conscious and you talk without any inhibitions—you know, ‘the truth drug’.
1988 ‘R. Deacon’ Spyclopaedia 412 Soap, nickname for the truth drug, specially treated sodium pentathol.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1993; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
soapv.
/səʊp/, U.S. /ˈsoʊp/ 1.
a. transitive. To rub, smear, lather, or treat in some special way with soap. Also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > wash [verb (transitive)] > wash in soapy water
latherc950
soap1585
suds1834
yellow-soap1836
soap-and-water1847
sapple1897
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. xxi. 58 b After that hee hath well soaped and rubbed your bodie..wyth a purse of Stammin,..he washeth you with very cleare water.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Savonné, soped, or washed in sope.
1677 Compl. Servant-maid 65 If there be any dirty places soap them a little, then take a little hard brush and soap it well [etc.].
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Clear-Starching Take your Lace and roll it.., and between every Roll soap it with Soap.
a1756 E. Haywood New Present (1771) 265 They [cambrics, etc.] should be..well soaped.
a1756 E. Haywood New Present (1771) 265 Linen soaped as above..will be freed of all stains.
1802 G. Colman Poor Gentleman (new ed.) i. i. 8 Answer me..Who have [= has] soap'd up and flower'd your numskull after such a fashion?
1860 G. Rawlinson tr. Herodotus Hist. IV. ix. cx. 473 This is the only day in all the year on which the king soaps his head.
1875 F. J. Bird Dyer's Hand-bk. 50 The pieces..are finally washed and soaped.
b. figurative phrase to soap the ways: to make things smooth and easy. [? With reference to the nautical sense, way n.1 6a.]
ΚΠ
1929 H. A. Vachell Virgin ix. 156 I mean to say that Peggy, qua Peggy, has—how shall I put it?—soaped the ways.
2.
a. slang. To address with smooth or flattering words; to flatter.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > flatter [verb (transitive)]
flatter?c1225
flackera1250
slickc1250
blandishc1305
blandc1315
glozec1330
beflatter1340
curryc1394
elkena1400
glaverc1400
anointa1425
glotherc1480
losenge1480
painta1513
to hold in halsc1560
soothe1580
smooth1584
smooth1591
soothe1601
pepper1654
palp1657
smoothify1694
butter1700
asperse1702
palaver1713
blarney1834
sawder1834
soft-soap1835
to cock up1838
soft-solder1838
soother1842
behoney1845
soap1853
beslaver1861
beslobber1868
smarm1902
sugar1923
sweetmouth1948
smooth-talk1950
1853 ‘C. Bede’ Adventures Mr. Verdant Green x. 88 The tailor and robe-maker..visibly ‘soaped’ our hero in what is understood to be the shop-sense of the word.
1865 C. Dickens Dr. Marigold's Prescriptions: To be Taken Immediately in All Year Round Extra Christmas No., 7 Dec. 3/1 These Dear Jacks soap the people shameful, but we Cheap Jacks don't.
b. With over: (see quot. 1857).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > trickery, playing jokes > trick, hoax [verb (transitive)]
jape1362
bejape1377
play1562
jugglea1592
dally1595
trick1595
bore1602
jadea1616
to fool off1631
top1663
whiska1669
hocus1675
to put a sham upon1677
sham1677
fun?1685
to put upon ——1687
rig1732
humbug1750
hum1751
to run a rig1764
hocus-pocus1774
cram1794
hoax1796
kid1811
string1819
to play off1821
skylark1823
frisk1825
stuff1844
lark1848
kiddy1851
soap1857
to play it (on)1864
spoof1889
to slip (something) over (on)1912
cod1941
to pull a person's chain1975
game1996
1857 ‘Ducange Anglicus’ Vulgar Tongue 19 Soaped him over, humbugged him.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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