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). loaf sugar a sugar loaf as a whole or cut into lumps.
[ OE hlaf f. Gmc ]