I. ˈlüs adjective
( loos·er ; loos·est )
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
• loose·ly adverb
• loose·ness noun
II. verb
( loosed ; loos·ing )
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