Loom
[luːm] or [lum]
Definition
(noun.) a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile.
(verb.) weave on a loom; 'materials loomed in Egypt'.
(verb.) appear very large or occupy a commanding position; 'The huge sculpture predominates over the fountain'; 'Large shadows loomed on the canyon wall'.
(verb.) come into view indistinctly, often threateningly; 'Another air plane loomed into the sky'.
Typist: Sean--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) See Loon, the bird.
(n.) A frame or machine of wood or other material, in which a weaver forms cloth out of thread; a machine for interweaving yarn or threads into a fabric, as in knitting or lace making.
(n.) That part of an oar which is near the grip or handle and inboard from the rowlock.
(v. i.) To appear above the surface either of sea or land, or to appear enlarged, or distorted and indistinct, as a distant object, a ship at sea, or a mountain, esp. from atmospheric influences; as, the ship looms large; the land looms high.
(v. i.) To rise and to be eminent; to be elevated or ennobled, in a moral sense.
(n.) The state of looming; esp., an unnatural and indistinct appearance of elevation or enlargement of anything, as of land or of a ship, seen by one at sea.
Checked by Carlton
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Glimmer, lower, gloam
ANT:Dwindle, pale, recede, fade, vanish, disappear
Checker: Nanette
Definition
n. a machine in which yarn or thread is woven into a fabric by the crossing of threads called chain or warp running lengthwise with others called weft woof or filling; the handle of an oar or the part within the rowlock.—n. Jac′quard-loom a famous apparatus devised by Joseph Marie Jacquard (1752-1834) invaluable in weaving the finer kinds of figured silk fabrics.
v.i. to appear above the horizon or larger than the real size: to show large in darkness &c.: to stand out prominently in the future.—n. Loom′ing a mirage.
Checker: Maisie
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of standing by and seeing a loom operated by a stranger, denotes much vexation and useless irritation from the talkativeness of those about you. Some disappointment with happy expectations are coupled with this dream. To see good-looking women attending the loom, denotes unqualified success to those in love. It predicts congenial pursuits to the married. It denotes you are drawing closer together in taste. For a woman to dream of weaving on an oldtime loom, signifies that she will have a thrifty husband and beautiful children will fill her life with happy solicitations. To see an idle loom, denotes a sulky and stubborn person, who will cause you much anxious care.
Edited by Candice
Examples
- It threw a livid, unnatural circle upon the floor, while in the shadows beyond we saw the vague loom of two figures which crouched against the wall. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- An important branch of the textile art is cloth finishing, whereby the rough surface of the cloth as it comes from the loom is rendered soft and smooth. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The complexity and expensiveness of Jacquard's loom were greatly reduced by subsequent improvements. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The Jacquard loom was also greatly improved by the English inventors, Barlow, Taylor, Martain and others. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The church is calm enough, I am sure; but it might be a steam-power loom in full action, for any sedative effect it has on me. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- At the end of the second day, he saw land; at the end of the third, his loom stood empty. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- This he was enabled to do by the Jacquard loom. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Here and there a Hatchment, with the whole science of Heraldry in it, loomed down upon the street, like an Archbishop discoursing on Vanity. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Close around them loomed the impenetrable blackness of the jungle. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- He was dressed in a legal-looking suit of black, and loomed, burly and large, in that small office. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- A great battleship, forging silent and unlighted through the dark night, loomed close astern. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Ahead of him, in the winter night, loomed a big unlit house. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- I had lapsed into a stupid state; but I was recovering a little and looking forward to Steerforth, albeit Mr. Creakle loomed behind him. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- No sooner did Roosevelt take the stump than the paradox loomed up before him. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Mr. Tulkinghorn, an indistinct form against the dark street now dotted with lamps, looms in my Lady's view, bigger and blacker than before. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Of much that looms large in our national histories we cannot tell anything. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Her picturesque form no longer looms above the desert of the Dead Sea to remind the tourist of the doom that fell upon the lost cities. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- This adaptation of the needle to looms has placed ribbons within the reach of the poor as well as the rich girl. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- It is along these lines that the inventors have wrought their marvellous changes from hand to power looms. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Old six-foot Snodgrass looms on high, With elephantine grace, And beams upon the company, With brown and jovial face. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Steam was applied to looms by William Horrocks (British patent No. 2,699, 1803). Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- So that the progress of future inventions depends on the outcome of the great economic, industrial, and social battles which are now looming on the pathway of the future. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- And Mr. Smallweed says it not without evident apprehensions of his dear friend, who still stands over him looming larger than ever. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Ursula was dim and veiled, looming over him. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- In modern times the art of building has had such an upward trend that edifices looming far into the air, hotels, stores, apartment houses, office buildings, etc. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- At dusk we saw Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the little figure of the lad who drove him. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- It's kingdom come, gentlemen, said the captain, with a grim smile, as he looked at that sky-piercing peak looming hugely in the vague light. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Margaret's heart ached at his restlessness--his trying to stifle and strangle the hideous fear that was looming out of the dark places of his heart. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
Checked by Flossie