n. & v.
--n.
1. a a figure produced by a curve, or a doubled thread etc., that crosses itself. b anything forming this figure.
2 a similarly shaped attachment or ornament formed of cord or thread etc. and fastened at the crossing.
3 a ring or curved piece of material as a handle etc.
4 a contraceptive coil.
5 (in full loop-line) a railway or telegraph line that diverges from a main line and joins it again.
6 a manoeuvre in which an aeroplane describes a vertical loop.
7 Skating a manoeuvre describing a curve that crosses itself, made on a single edge.
8 Electr. a complete circuit for a current.
9 an endless strip of tape or film allowing continuous repetition.
10 Computing a programmed sequence of instructions that is repeated until or while a particular condition is satisfied.
--v.
1. tr. form (thread etc.) into a loop or loops.
2 tr. enclose with or as with a loop.
3 tr. (often foll. by up, back, together) fasten or join with a loop or loops.
4 intr. a form a loop. b move in looplike patterns.
5 intr. (also loop the loop) Aeron. perform an aerobatic loop.
Etymology: ME: orig. unkn.