Collins English-English Dictionary

loop [luːp]

1. 1. n the round or oval shape formed by a line, string, etc, that curves around to cross itself

2. 2. n [chiefly Brit] loop line a railway branch line which leaves the main line and rejoins it after a short distance

3. 3. n any round or oval-shaped thing that is closed or nearly closed

4. 4. n a piece of material, such as string, curved round and fastened to form a ring or handle for carrying by

5. 5. n an intrauterine contraceptive device in the shape of a loop

6. 6. n [electronics] a closed electric or magnetic circuit through which a signal can circulate

7. 7. n short for loop aerial

8. 8. n a flight manoeuvre in which an aircraft flies one complete circle in the vertical plane

9. 9. n [maths] [physics] a closed curve on a graph

   hysteresis loop

10. 10. n another name for antinode

11. 11. n [anatomy] the most common basic pattern of the human fingerprint, formed by several sharply rising U-shaped ridges - Compare arch whorl

12. 12. vt. loop the loop to cause (an aircraft) to perform a loop or (of an aircraft) to perform a loop

13. 13. n a bend in a tubular structure, such as the U-shaped curve in a kidney tubule (Henle's loop or loop of Henle)

14. 14. n [computing] a series of instructions in a program, performed repeatedly until some specified condition is satisfied

15. 15. n [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

16. 16. n a group of people to whom information is circulated (esp in the phrases in or out of the loop)

17. 17. vt. [tr] to make a loop in or of (a line, string, etc)

18. 18. vt. [tr] to fasten or encircle with a loop or something like a loop

19. 19. vi. [intr] to move in loops or in a path like a loop

20. 20. vi. [Etymology] C14: loupe, origin unknown

loop [luːp]

1. 1. n an archaic word for loophole

2. 2. n [Etymology] C14: perhaps related to Middle Dutch lupen to watch, peer