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

Many of his top aides have resigned or been pushed out as multiple federal investigations loom.

From Los Angeles Times

But here, a longstanding criticism of Brics - that it can’t get meaningful things done - continues to loom large.

From BBC

The existential threat to the Games continues to loom large.

From BBC

In one scene, the film ventures to a farm in rural Paris, home to an elderly woman who, utilizing a handmade loom, was the only one capable of weaving the trim on Chanel jackets at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

Its massive fuel storage tanks, distillation towers and sprawling pipeline network loom over Carson and Wilmington and are a long-standing source of community concern.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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