loom
1[ loom ]
/ lum /
noun
a hand-operated or power-driven apparatus for weaving fabrics, containing harnesses, lay, reed, shuttles, treadles, etc.
the art or the process of weaving.
the part of an oar between the blade and the handle.
verb (used with object)
to weave (something) on a loom.
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Nearby words
lookism, lookout, lookout mountain, lookup, looky, loom, loom large, loom-state, looming, loon, looney
Origin of loom
1Definition for loom (2 of 4)
loom
2[ loom ]
/ lum /
verb (used without object)
to appear indistinctly; come into view in indistinct and enlarged form: The mountainous island loomed on the horizon.
to rise before the vision with an appearance of great or portentous size: Suddenly a police officer loomed in front of him.
to assume form as an impending event: A battle looms at the convention.
noun
a looming appearance, as of something seen indistinctly at a distance or through a fog: the loom of a moraine directly in their path.
Origin of loom
2First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain
Definition for loom (3 of 4)
Origin of loom
3First recorded in 1670–80, loom is from the Old Norse word lōmr
Definition for loom (4 of 4)
L.O.O.M.
Loyal Order of Moose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for loom
British Dictionary definitions for loom (1 of 3)
loom
1/ (luːm) /
noun
an apparatus, worked by hand (hand loom) or mechanically (power loom), for weaving yarn into a textile
the middle portion of an oar, which acts as a fulcrum swivelling in the rowlock
Word Origin for loom
C13 (meaning any kind of tool): variant of Old English gelōma tool; compare heirloom
British Dictionary definitions for loom (2 of 3)
loom
2/ (luːm) /
verb (intr)
to come into view indistinctly with an enlarged and often threatening aspect
(of an event) to seem ominously close
(often foll by over) (of large objects) to dominate or overhang
noun
a rising appearance, as of something far away
Word Origin for loom
C16: perhaps from East Frisian lomen to move slowly
British Dictionary definitions for loom (3 of 3)
loom
3/ (luːm) /
noun archaic, or dialect
another name for diver (def. 3)
any of various other birds, esp the guillemot
Word Origin for loom
C17: from Old Norse lomr
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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