loom

¹

[ loom ]

noun

1. a hand-operated or power-driven apparatus for weaving fabrics, containing harnesses, lay, reed, shuttles, treadles, etc.
2. the art or the process of weaving.
3. the part of an oar between the blade and the handle.

verb (used with object)

1. to weave (something) on a loom.

loom

²

[ loom ]

verb (used without object)

1. to appear indistinctly; come into view in indistinct and enlarged form:

   The mountainous island loomed on the horizon.

2. to rise before the vision with an appearance of great or portentous size:

   Suddenly a police officer loomed in front of him.

   Synonyms: tower, rear

3. to assume form as an impending event:

   A battle looms at the convention.

noun

1. a looming appearance, as of something seen indistinctly at a distance or through a fog:

   the loom of a moraine directly in their path.

loom

³

[ loom ]

noun

, British Dialect.

1. loon ¹.
2. a guillemot or murre.

L.O.O.M.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. Loyal Order of Moose.

loom

¹

/ luːm /

noun

1. another name for diver
2. any of various other birds, esp the guillemot

loom

²

/ luːm /

noun

1. an apparatus, worked by hand ( hand loom ) or mechanically ( power loom ), for weaving yarn into a textile
2. the middle portion of an oar, which acts as a fulcrum swivelling in the rowlock

loom

³

/ luːm /

verb

1. to come into view indistinctly with an enlarged and often threatening aspect
2. (of an event) to seem ominously close
3. often foll by over (of large objects) to dominate or overhang

noun

1. a rising appearance, as of something far away

Word History and Origins

Origin of loom¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English lome, lombe, lume “tool, implement, loom,” Old English lōma, gelōma; further origin uncertain

Origin of loom²

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; perhaps akin to East Frisian lomen, Swedish lome “move slowly”

Origin of loom³

First recorded in 1670–80; from Old Norse lōmr “loon”

Word History and Origins

Origin of loom¹

C17: from Old Norse lomr

Origin of loom²

C13 (meaning any kind of tool): variant of Old English gelōma tool; compare heirloom

Origin of loom³

C16: perhaps from East Frisian lomen to move slowly

Example Sentences

There were no looming questions about free agency.

From Los Angeles Times

In our fragmented media landscape, it can be difficult to grasp just how large Carson loomed over the culture.

From New York Times

These developments come at a time of heightened uncertainty with a second Donald Trump administration looming.

From BBC

The threat of labour action also looms, as well as potential upheaval if Trump delivers on his campaign promise to reverse the Biden administration's new rules on vehicle emissions.

From BBC

He taught himself on a small loom, creating intricate swatches of fabric, before expanding into ready-to-wear and formally launching his brand in 2020.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brew
• come on
• dominate
• emerge
• hover
• mount
• overshadow
• portend
• soar
• stand out
• threaten