online medical dictionary | definition of froth

1. The bubbles caused in fluids or liquors by fermentation or agitation; spume; foam; especially, a spume of saliva caused by disease or nervous excitement.

2. Any empty, senseless show of wit or eloquence; rhetoric without thought. "It was a long speech, but all froth." (L'Estrange)

3. Light, unsubstantial matter.

<zoology> Froth insect, the cuckoo spit or frog hopper; called also froth spit, froth worm, and froth fly. Froth spit. See Cuckoo spit, under Cuckoo.

Origin: OE. Frothe, Icel. Frooa; akin to Dan. Fraade, Sw. Fradga, AS. Afreooan to froth.

(01 Mar 1998)