loom 1
/loohm/ , n.
1. a hand-operated or power-driven apparatus for weaving fabrics, containing harnesses, lay, reed, shuttles, treadles, etc.
2. the art or the process of weaving.
3. the part of an oar between the blade and the handle.
v.t.
4. to weave (something) on a loom.
[ bef. 900; ME lome, OE geloma tool, implement. See HEIRLOOM ]
loom 2
/loohm/ , v.i.
1. to appear indistinctly; come into view in indistinct and enlarged form: The mountainous island loomed on the horizon.
2. to rise before the vision with an appearance of great or portentous size: Suddenly a police officer loomed in front of him.
3. to assume form as an impending event: A battle looms at the convention.
n.
4. a looming appearance, as of something seen indistinctly at a distance or through a fog: the loom of a moraine directly in their path.
[ 1585-95; orig. uncert. ]
Syn. 2. rear, tower.
loom 3
/loohm/ , n. Brit. Dial.
1. loon 1 .
2. a guillemot or murre.
[ 1670-80; lomr ]