n.
- A length of line, thread, ribbon, or other thin material that is curved or doubled over making an opening.
- The opening formed by such a doubled line.
- Something having a shape, order, or path of motion that is circular or curved over on itself.
- Electricity. A closed circuit.
- Computer Science. A sequence of instructions that repeats either a specified number of times or until a particular condition is met.
- A type of loop-shaped intrauterine device.
- A flight maneuver in which an aircraft flies a circular path in a vertical plane with the lateral axis of the aircraft remaining horizontal.
- A segment of film or magnetic tape whose ends are joined, making a strip that can be continuously replayed.
- Sports. See league1 (sense 2).
v., looped, loop·ing, loops. v.tr.
- To form into a loop.
- To fasten, join, or encircle with loops or a loop.
- To fly (an aircraft) in a loop.
- To move in a loop or an arc.
- Electricity. To join (conductors) so as to complete a circuit.
- To add or substitute (words) in a film by altering the sound track.
- To form a loop.
- To move in a loop: "The couple looped constantly around the international social circuit" (Walter Isaacson).
- To make a loop in an aircraft.
in the loop
- Part of a group that is kept up-to-date with information about something: knew about the merger because she's in the loop.
- SlangTo surprise tremendously; astonish. To surprise tremendously; astonish.
- Not part of a group that is kept up-to-date with information about something.
[Middle English loupe, probably from Middle Irish lúb (perhaps influenced by Middle English lep, basket).]
loop2 (lūp)
n. Archaic
A loophole through which small arms may be fired.
[Middle English loupe, akin to Middle Dutch lūpen, to lie in wait, peer.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
