loop 1
(lo͞op)n.1. a. A length of line, thread, ribbon, or other thin material that is curved or doubled over making an opening.
b. The opening formed by such a doubled line.
2. Something having a shape, order, or path of motion that is circular or curved over on itself.
3. Electricity A closed circuit.
4. Computers A sequence of instructions that repeats either a specified number of times or until a particular condition is met.
5. A loop-shaped intrauterine device.
6. A flight maneuver in which an aircraft flies a circular path in a vertical plane with the lateral axis of the aircraft remaining horizontal.
7. A segment of film or magnetic tape whose ends are joined, making a strip that can be continuously replayed.
v. looped, loop·ing, loops
v.tr.1. To form into a loop.
2. To fasten, join, or encircle with loops or a loop.
3. To fly (an aircraft) in a loop.
4. To move in a loop or an arc.
5. Electricity To join (conductors) so as to complete a circuit.
6. To add or substitute (words) in a film by altering the soundtrack.
v.intr.1. To form a loop.
2. To move in a loop: "The couple looped constantly around the international social circuit" (Walter Isaacson).
3. To make a loop in an aircraft.
Phrasal Verb: loop in To provide up-to-date information; inform: She sent an email to loop in the staff about policy changes. Before proceeding with my plan, I looped my colleagues in.
Idioms: 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.
knock/throw for a loop Slang To surprise tremendously; astonish.
out of the loop 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).]
loop 2
(lo͞op)n. Archaic A loophole through which small arms may be fired.
[Middle English loupe; akin to Middle Dutch lūpen, to lie in wait, peer.]
Loop
(lo͞op) The central business district of Chicago, Illinois. Used with the.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.