loose

I. adjective (looser; loosest) Etymology: Middle English lous, from Old Norse lauss; akin to Old High German lōs loose — more at -less Date: 13th century 1. a. not rigidly fastened or securely attached b. (1) having worked partly free from attachments <

a loose tooth

> (2) having relative freedom of movement c. produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus <

a loose cough

> d. not tight-fitting 2. a. free from a state of confinement, restraint, or obligation <

a lion loose in the streets

> <

spend loose funds wisely

> b. not brought together in a bundle, container, or binding c. archaic disconnected, detached 3. a. not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement b. not solid ; watery <

loose stools

> 4. a. lacking in restraint or power of restraint <

a loose tongue

> b. lacking moral restraint ; unchaste c. overactive; specifically marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools <

loose bowels

> 5. a. not tightly drawn or stretched ; slack b. being flexible or relaxed <

stay loose

> 6. a. lacking in precision, exactness, or care <

loose brushwork

> <

loose usage

> b. permitting freedom of interpretation 7. not in the possession of either of two competing teams <

a loose ball

> <

a loose puck

> • loosely adverb • looseness noun II. verb (loosed; loosing) Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. a. to let loose ; release b. to free from restraint 2. to make loose ; untie <

loose a knot

> 3. to cast loose ; detach 4. to let fly ; discharge 5. to make less rigid, tight, or strict ; relax intransitive verb to let fly a missile (as an arrow) ; fire III. adverb Date: 15th century in a loose manner ; loosely