Loom

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /luːm/
• US IPA: /lum/
• Rhymes: -uːm

From Middle English lome, from Old English lōma, ġelōma ("tool, utensil, implement, article of furniture, household effect") (also as andlōma, andġelōma, andlāma ("utensil, instrument, implement, tool, vessel"), of uncertain origin. Cognate with Middle Dutch allame ("tool"). Perhaps originally meaning "a thing of frequent use", in which case, akin to Old English ġelōme ("often, frequently, continually, repeatedly"), from Proto-Germanic *ga- + Proto-Germanic *lōmiz, *lōmijaz ("lame, halt"), from Proto-Indo-European *lem- ("to break, soften"). Compare Old High German giluomo, kilōmo ("often, frequently"), Old English lama ("lame"). See lame.

Full definition of loom

Noun

1. A utensil; tool; a weapon; (usually in compound) an article in general.heirloom, workloom
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.
• RamblerHector, when he sees Andromache overwhelmed with terror, sends her for consolation to the loom and the distaff.
3. That part of an oar which is near the grip or handle and inboard from the rowlock

Derived terms

• hand loom
• power loom

Noun

1. (dated) loon (bird of order Gaviformes)

From Old Norse ljóma ("to shine")

Webster 1913|loom

Verb

1. to impend; to threaten or hang over.The clouds loomed over the mountains.
• 2011, August 7, Chris Bevan, Man City 2 - 3 Man Utd, 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.
2. To rise and to be eminent; to be elevated or ennobled, in a moral sense.
• J. M. MasonOn no occasion does he Paul loom so high, and shine so gloriously, as in the context.