1. n. (pl. loaves)
1. a portion of baked bread, usu. of a standard size or shape.
2 a quantity of other food formed into a particular shape (sugar loaf; meat loaf).
3 sl. the head, esp. as a source of common sense (use your loaf).
Phrases and idioms:
loaf sugar a sugar loaf as a whole or cut into lumps.
Etymology: OE hlaf f. Gmc 2. v. & n.
--v.
1. intr. (often foll. by about, around) spend time idly; hang about.
2 tr. (foll. by away) waste (time) idly (loafed away the morning).
3 intr. saunter.
--n. an act or spell of loafing.
Etymology: prob. a back-form. f. LOAFER