/ luːm; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb [ v ]
1.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to appear as a large shape that is not clear, especially in a frightening or threatening way :
A dark shape loomed up ahead of us.
2.
to appear important or threatening and likely to happen soon :
There was a crisis looming.
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IDIOMS
- loom large
■ noun
a machine for making cloth by twisting threads between other threads which go in a different direction
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WORD ORIGIN
noun Old English gelōma tool , shortened to lome in Middle English .
verb mid 16th cent.: probably from Low German or Dutch ; compare with East Frisian lōmen move slowly, Middle High German lüemen be weary.