Definition of "loom"

loom¹

/luːm/

noun
plural looms
1. (usually in compound) an article in general.
2. A frame or machine of wood or other material, in which a weaver forms cloth out of thread; a machine for interweaving yarn or threads into a fabric, as in knitting or lace making.
  Quotations
  Hector, when he sees Andromache overwhelmed with terror, sends her for consolation to the loom and the distaff.
  January 8, 1751, Samuel Johnson, "The Mischiefs of Total Idleness" in The Rambler
3. The part of an oar which is between the grip or handle and the blade; the shaft.

loom²

/luːm/

noun
plural looms
1. (dated) loon (bird of order Gaviiformes)

loom³

/luːm/

verb
third-person singular simple present looms, present participle looming, simple past and past participle loomed
1. To appear indistinctly, e.g. when seen on the horizon or through the murk.
  Quotations
  […] yonder cloudThat rises upward always higher,⁠And onward drags a labouring breast,⁠And topples round the dreary west,A looming bastion fringed with fire.
  1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], canto XV, page 24
2. (figurative) To appear in an exaggerated or threatening form; (of a person or thing) to tower; (of an idea) to impressively or intimidatingly occupy the mind; (of an event) to be imminent.
  Quotations
  With no extra-time to be played and penalties looming, the Portuguese winger pounced on some hesitant City defending to run on to a Wayne Rooney clearance, round Joe Hart and slot home.
  2011 August 7, Chris Bevan, “Man City 2 - 3 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport‎
  In the meantime, SWR staff have warned privately that an acute shortage of rolling stock is looming, because the new trains are not ready.
  2021 November 3, Paul Clifton, “Network News: Rolling stock concerns as '701s' "not fit for purpose"”, in RAIL, number 943, page 21
3. (figurative) To rise and to be eminent; to be elevated or ennobled, in a moral sense.
  Quotations
  On no occasion does he [Paul] loom so high, and shine so gloriously, as in the context.
  1822, John M. Mason, The Evangelical Ministry Exemplified in the Apostle Paul
noun
plural looms
1. A distorted appearance of something as seen indistinctly or from afar.

Definition of "loom"

loom1

noun

Quotations

loom2

noun

loom3

verb

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

noun

loom¹

loom²

loom³