First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1loop
noun \ˈlüp\
Definition of LOOP
archaic : loophole 1a
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Origin of LOOP
Middle English loupe; perhaps akin to Middle Dutch lupen to watch, peer
2loop
noun
Definition of LOOP
1
a : a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked b : such a fold of cord or ribbon serving as an ornament
2
a : something shaped like or suggestive of a loop b : a circular airplane maneuver executed in the vertical plane
3
: a ring or curved piece used to form a fastening, handle, or catch
4
: a closed electric circuit
5
a : a piece of film or magnetic tape whose ends are spliced together so as to project or play back the same material continuously b : a continuously repeated segment of music, dialogue, or images <a drum loop>
6
: a series of instructions (as for a computer) that is repeated until a terminating condition is reached
7
: a sports league
8
: a select well-informed inner circle that is influential in decision making <out of the policy loop>
— for a loop
: into a state of amazement, confusion, or distress <the news threw us for a loop>
Origin of LOOP
Middle English loupe, of unknown origin
First Known Use: 14th century
3loop
verb
: to form or cause (something) to form a loop
: to move or cause (something) to move in a high curving path
Full Definition of LOOP
intransitive verb
1
: to make or form a loop
2
: to execute a loop in an airplane
3
: to move in loops or in an arc
transitive verb
1
a : to make a loop in, on, or about b : to fasten with a loop
2
: to join (two courses of loops) in knitting
3
: to connect (electric conductors) so as to complete a loop
4
: to cause to move in an arc
See loop defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LOOP
1832
LOOPING Defined for Kids
1loop
noun \ˈlüp\
Definition of LOOP for Kids
1
: an almost oval form produced when something flexible and thin (as a wire or a rope) crosses over itself
2
: something (as a figure or bend) suggesting a flexible loop <Her letters have large loops.>
2loop
verb
loopedloop·ing
Definition of LOOP for Kids
1
: to make a circle or loop in <Loop your shoelace.>
2
: to form a circle or loop <The road loops around the park.>
Medical Dictionary
loop
noun \ˈlüp\
Medical Definition of LOOP
1
: a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed
2
a : something (as an anatomical part) shaped like a loop—see loop of henle; lippes loop b : a surgical electrode in the form of a loop
3
: a fingerprint in which some of the papillary ridges make a single backward turn without any twist
4
: a wire usually of platinum bent at one end into a small loop (usually four millimeters in inside diameter) and used in transferring microorganisms
Illustration of LOOP
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