lu:p n. & v. --n. 1 a a
figure produced by a
curve, or a doubled
thread etc.,
that crosses
itself. b
anything forming
this figure. 2 a similarly shaped
attachment or
ornament formed of
cord or thread etc.
and fastened at
the crossing. 3 a ring or curved
piece of
material as a
handle etc. 4 a
contraceptive coil. 5 (in full loop-line) a
railway or
telegraph line that diverges
from a main line and joins it
again. 6 a
manoeuvre in
which an
aeroplane describes a
vertical loop. 7 Skating a manoeuvre describing a curve that crosses itself,
made on a
single edge. 8 Electr. a
complete circuit for a
current. 9 an
endless strip of
tape or
film allowing
continuous repetition. 10 Computing a programmed
sequence of instructions that is repeated
until or
while a
particular condition is satisfied. --v. 1 tr.
form (thread etc.)
into a loop or loops. 2 tr.
enclose with or as with a loop. 3 tr. (often foll. by
up,
back, together)
fasten or
join with a loop or loops. 4 intr. a form a loop. b
move in looplike patterns. 5 intr. (also loop the loop) Aeron.
perform an aerobatic loop. [ME: orig. unkn.]
