səup n. & v. --n. 1 a cleansing
agent that is a compound of
fatty acid with soda or
potash or (insoluble soap) with
another metallic oxide, of
which the soluble kinds
when rubbed in
water yield a
lather used in
washing. 2 colloq. = soap opera. --v.tr. 1
apply soap
to. 2 scrub or rub with soap. øsoap flakes soap in the
form of
thin flakes,
for washing
clothes etc. soap opera a
broadcast drama, usu. serialized in
many episodes, dealing with
sentimental domestic themes (so called
because orig. sponsored in the US by soap manufacturers). soap
powder powdered soap
esp. with additives. øøsoapless adj. soaplike adj. [OE sape f. WG]