English Dictionary

Definition of “loop”

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1loop1 (luːpPronunciation for loop1) 

Definitions

noun

  1. the round or oval shape formed by a line, string, etc, that curves around to cross itself
  2. any round or oval-shaped thing that is closed or nearly closed
  3. a piece of material, such as string, curved round and fastened to form a ring or handle for carrying by
  4. an intrauterine contraceptive device in the shape of a loop
  5. electronics 
    1. a closed electric or magnetic circuit through which a signal can circulate
    2. short for loop aerial
  6. a flight manoeuvre in which an aircraft flies one complete circle in the vertical plane
  7. loop linemainly British a railway branch line which leaves the main line and rejoins it after a short distance
  8. mathematics physics a closed curve on a graph  ⇒ hysteresis loop 
  9. another name for antinode
  10. anatomy 
    1. the most common basic pattern of the human fingerprint, formed by several sharply rising U-shaped ridges Compare arch1 (sense 4b) , whorl (sense 3)
    2. a bend in a tubular structure, such as the U-shaped curve in a kidney tubule (Henle's loop or loop of Henle)
  11. computing a series of instructions in a program, performed repeatedly until some specified condition is satisfied
  12. skating a jump in which the skater takes off from a back outside edge, makes one, two, or three turns in the air, and lands on the same back outside edge
  13. a group of people to whom information is circulated (esp in the phrases in a group of people to whom information is circulated (esp in the phrases or out of the loop)

verb

  1. (tr) to make a loop in or of (a line, string, etc)
  2. (tr) to fasten or encircle with a loop or something like a loop
  3. loop the loopto cause (an aircraft) to perform a loop or (of an aircraft) to perform a loop
  4. (intr) to move in loops or in a path like a loop

Word Origin

C14: loupe, origin unknown

2loop2 (luːpPronunciation for loop2) 

Definitions

noun

  1. an archaic word for loophole

Word Origin

C14: perhaps related to Middle Dutch lupen to watch, peer

Usage examples

  • Retrieving the whip from his belt loop , he said, `Watch this.
    Reeves, Robert, Doubting Thomas (1986)
  • Feedback loop The retreating summer sea ice has knock-on effects.
    New Scientist (2003)
  • The group's solicitor, Mr Michael Carroll, was out of the loop in relation to the deal with Esat, whose commercial pedigree he did not rate.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • Take all the furore over broadband rollout and local loop unbundling, for instance.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • The river slid under the bridge, swirling on its long loop about the plain where Marshal Marmont had been thrashed by Wellington.
    Bernard Cornwell, SHARPE'S TRAFALGAR (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'L'

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