looper

American  

[loo-per] / ˈlu pər /

noun

1. a person or thing that loops something or forms loops.

   The strands of wire are coiled by an automatic looper.

2. 1. the larva of any geometrid moth, such as the hemlock looper; inchworm.

   2. cabbage looper.

3. a hook-shaped mechanism in a sewing machine that enables stitching by drawing the upper and lower threads together.

4. Baseball. blooper.

   He was robbed of an RBI looper by the speediest shortstop in the league.

---

ˈlooper British  

/ ˈluːpə /

noun

1. a person or thing that loops or makes loops

2. another name for a measuring worm

---

Etymology

Origin of looper

First recorded in 1725–35; loop ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

In 2019, Corteva reported that genes for proteins found in maidenhair ferns could protect soybeans from soybean looper and velvetbean caterpillars, and since then both groups have sharpened their focus on ferns.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 16, 2023

Cleveland had runners at second and third with one out when Josh Naylor hit a looper to center field that Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks appeared to catch with a sliding grab.

From Washington Times • Apr. 12, 2023

It uses the same technology in myriad other invasive pests, including the fall armyworm and the soybean looper, which it hopes to sell in the U.S. and around the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2022

Brian McCann’s passed ball advanced the runners, and Stanton then hit a game-ending looper — to Lindor.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2021

Of the several styles of machine using the Raymond looper, this type seems to account for the largest volume manufactured, as evidenced by the proportionately higher number of examples still extant.

From The Invention of the Sewing Machine by Cooper, Grace Rogers

Related Words

• bloop
• blooper
• pop-up