LOOM

loom, a machine for weaving fabrics by intersecting the longitudinal threads, the "warp," i.e. "that which is thrown across" (o.e. _wearp_, from _weorpan_, to throw, cf. ger. _werfen_) with the transverse threads, the "weft," i.e. "that which is woven" (o.e. _wefta_, from _wefan_, to weave, cf. ger. _weben_). the o.e. _geloma_ and m.e. _lome_ meant an implement or tool of any kind. in the sense of property, furniture, &c., it appears in heirloom (q.v.). the earliest example with its specific meaning quoted by the _new english dictionary_ is from the _nottingham records_ of 1404 (see weaving). "loom" in the sense of "to appear indistinctly," to come into view in an exaggerated indistinct shape, must be distinguished from the above word. this appears to have been a sailor's term for the indistinct or exaggerated appearance of land, a vessel or other object through haze or darkness at sea. it is of obscure origin, but has been connected through the o. fr. _lumer_, modern _allumer_, with lat. _lumen_, light, and with the root seen in "lame," in the sense of "moving slowly towards one." loon, the largest town of the province of bohol, island of bohol, philippine islands, on the extreme w. coast. pop. (1903) 18,114. loon is picturesquely situated on the w. slope of a hill, and is reached from the sea by steps cut in the rocks. the harbour is in a sheltered bay on the n. side of the town. the cultivation of coco-nuts, coffee, cocoa, maguey, tobacco, cotton and indian corn, and the raising of livestock are the principal industries; there is also considerable commerce and some manufacturing. the language is chiefly bohol-visayan. loop. (1) a curve or bend, particularly a bend in a string, rope, &c., formed by doubling back one part so as to leave an opening; similarly a ring of metal or other material leaving an aperture. (2) in architecture or fortification, "loop," more usually in the form "loophole," is an opening in the wall of a building, very narrow on the outside and splayed within, from which arrows or darts might be discharged on an enemy, or through which light might be admitted. they are often in the form of a cross, and generally have round holes at the ends (see oillets). (3) the word is also a term in iron and steel manufacturing for a mass of metal ready for hammering or rolling, a "bloom." this last word is represented in french by _loupe_, from which it is probably adapted. the earlier english form was also _loupe_, and it was also applied to precious stones which were of inferior brilliancy; the same also appears in french. of the word in its two first meanings, a bend or circle in a line of string, metal, rails, &c., and "loophole," the derivation is uncertain. skeat takes the word in both meanings to be the same and to be of scandinavian origin, the old norwegian _hlaup_, a leap, being the direct source. the base is the teutonic _hlaufan_, to run, to leap, german _laufen_. the _new english dictionary_ considers the swedish example, _lop-knut_, "running knot," and others given by skeat in support of his derivation to be germanisms, and also that the pronunciation of the word would have been _lowp_ rather than _lup_. "loop" in meaning (2) "loophole" is also taken to be a different word, and is derived from dutch _luipen_, to peer, watch. in modern dutch the word for a narrow opening is _gluip_.