ˈlȯs also ˈläs noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English los, probably back-formation from lost, past participle of losen to lose, get lost, perish, destroy — more at lost
1.
a. : the act or fact of losing : failure to keep possession : deprivation
precautions against loss or theft of property
loss of a leg
loss of sight
loss of reputation
loss of caste
virtual loss of three divisions of infantry
b. : the harm or privation resulting from losing or being separated from something or someone
bore up bravely under the loss of both parents
the explosion caused a temporary loss of hearing
embittered by the loss of his wife's affection
c. : an instance of losing
his retirement was a serious loss to the company
her death was a loss to all who knew her
d. obsolete : lack , default
2. : a person or thing or an amount that is lost: as
a. losses plural : killed, wounded, or captured soldiers
b. : power or energy wasted in a machine, apparatus, or system
friction loss
heat loss due to faulty insulation
c.
(1) : the power diminution of a circuit element corresponding to conversion of electric power into heat by resistance
(2) : attenuation
3.
a. : the act or fact of failing to gain, win, obtain, or utilize
loss of a battle
loss of opportunity
loss of a game
loss of a night's sleep
specifically : an amount by which the cost of an article or service exceeds the selling price — opposed to profit
forced to sell all the stock at a loss
railroad claimed to be operating at a loss
b. : a yardage disadvantage in football that results when an offensive play ends behind the line of scrimmage
4. : decrease in amount, magnitude, or degree
temperature loss
loss in altitude
— opposed to gain
5.
a. : the state or fact of being destroyed or placed beyond recovery : destruction , ruin , perdition
quitted all to save a world from utter loss — John Milton
loss of a ship with all hands
loss of life in war
b. obsolete : a cause of ruin or destruction
6. : the amount of an insured's financial detriment due to the occurrence of a stipulated contingent event (as death, injury, destruction, or damage) in such a manner as to charge the insurer with a liability under the terms of the policy
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- at a loss
- for a loss