loop

I. noun Etymology: Middle English loupe; perhaps akin to Middle Dutch lupen to watch, peer Date: 14th century archaic loophole 1a II. noun Etymology: Middle English loupe, of unknown origin Date: 14th century 1. a. a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked b. such a fold of cord or ribbon serving as an ornament 2. a. something shaped like or suggestive of a loop b. a circular airplane maneuver executed in the vertical plane 3. a ring or curved piece used to form a fastening, handle, or catch 4. a closed electric circuit 5. a. a piece of film or magnetic tape whose ends are spliced together so as to project or play back the same material continuously b. a continuously repeated segment of music, dialogue, or images <

a drum loop

> 6. a series of instructions (as for a computer) that is repeated until a terminating condition is reached 7. a sports league 8. a select well-informed inner circle that is influential in decision making <

out of the policy loop

> III. verb Date: 1832 intransitive verb 1. to make or form a loop 2. to execute a loop in an airplane 3. to move in loops or in an arc transitive verb 1. a. to make a loop in, on, or about b. to fasten with a loop 2. to join (two courses of loops) in knitting 3. to connect (electric conductors) so as to complete a loop 4. to cause to move in an arc