Longspur Long"spur` noun [ So called from the length of the hind claw.] (Zoology) Any one of several species of fringilline birds of the genus Calcarius (or Plectrophanes ), and allied genera. The Lapland longspur ( C. Lapponicus ), the chestnut-colored longspur ( C. ornatus ), and other species, inhabit the United States.

Longtail Long"tail` noun An animal, particularly a log, having an uncut tail. Confer Curtail . Dog .

» A longtail was a gentleman's dog, or the dog of one qualified to bunt, other dogs being required to have their tails cut.

Cut and longtail , all, gentlefolks and others, as they might come. Shak.

Longulite Lon"gu·lite noun [ Latin longus long + -lie .] (Min.) A kind of crystallite having a (slender) acicular form.

Longways Long"ways` adverb Lengthwise. Addison.

Longwise Long"wise` adverb Lengthwise.

Loo Loo noun [ For older lanterloo , French lanturelu , lanturlu , name of the game; orig., the refrain of a vaudeville.] (a) An old game played with five, or three, cards dealt to each player from a full pack. When five cards are used the highest card is the knave of clubs or (if so agreed upon) the knave of trumps; -- formerly called lanterloo . (b) A modification of the game of "all fours" in which the players replenish their hands after each round by drawing each a card from the pack.

Loo table , a round table adapted for a circle of persons playing loo.

Loo Loo transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Looed ; present participle & verbal noun Looing .] To beat in the game of loo by winning every trick. [ Written also lu .] Goldsmith.

Loob Loob noun [ Corn., slime, sludge.] (Mining) The clay or slimes washed from tin ore in dressing.

Loobily Loo"bi·ly adjective [ From Looby .] Loobylike; awkward. Fuller.

Loobily Loo"bi·ly adverb Awkwardly. L'Estrange.

Looby Loo"by noun ; plural Loobies . [ Confer Lob .] An awkward, clumsy fellow; a lubber. Swift.

Looch Looch noun See 2d Loch .

Loof Loof noun (Botany) The spongelike fibers of the fruit of a cucurbitaceous plant ( Luffa Ægyptiaca ); called also vegetable sponge .

Loof Loof noun [ See Luff .] [ Also written luff .] (Nautical) (a) Formerly, some appurtenance of a vessel which was used in changing her course; -- probably a large paddle put over the lee bow to help bring her head nearer to the wind. (b) The part of a ship's side where the planking begins to curve toward bow and stern.

Loof Loof intransitive verb (Nautical) See Luff .

Look Look intransitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Looked ; present participle & verbal noun Looking .] [ Middle English loken , Anglo-Saxon lōcian ; akin to German lugen , Old High German luogēn .] 1. To direct the eyes for the purpose of seeing something; to direct the eyes toward an object; to observe with the eyes while keeping them directed; -- with various prepositions, often in a special or figurative sense. See Phrases below.

2. To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action.

3. To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance; as, the patient looks better; the clouds look rainy.

It would look more like vanity than gratitude.

Addison.

Observe how such a practice looks in another person.

I. Watts.

4. To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to front.

The inner gate that looketh to north.

Ezek. viii. 3.

The east gate . . . which looketh eastward.

Ezek. xi. 1.

5. In the imperative: see; behold; take notice; take care; observe; -- used to call attention.

Look , how much we thus expel of sin, so much we expel of virtue.

Milton.

» Look , in the imperative, may be followed by a dependent sentence, but see is oftener so used.

Look that ye bind them fast.

Shak.

Look if it be my daughter.

Talfourd.

6. To show one's self in looking, as by leaning out of a window; as, look out of the window while I speak to you. Sometimes used figuratively.

My toes look through the overleather.

Shak.

7. To await the appearance of anything; to expect; to anticipate.

Looking each hour into death's mouth to fall.

Spenser.

To look about , to look on all sides, or in different directions. -- To look about one , to be on the watch; to be vigilant; to be circumspect or guarded. -- To look after . (a) To attend to; to take care of; as, to look after children . (b) To expect; to be in a state of expectation.

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.

Luke xxi. 26.

(c) To seek; to search .

My subject does not oblige me to look after the water, or point forth the place where to it is now retreated.

Woodward.

-- To look at , to direct the eyes toward so that one sees, or as if to see; as, to look at a star; hence, to observe, examine, consider; as, to look at a matter without prejudice. -- To look black , to frown; to scowl; to have a threatening appearance.

The bishops thereat repined, and looked black .

Holinshed.

-- To look down on or upon , to treat with indifference or contempt; to regard as an inferior; to despise. -- To look for . (a) To expect; as, to look for news by the arrival of a ship. " Look now for no enchanting voice." Milton. (b) To seek for; to search for; as, to look for lost money, or lost cattle. -- To look forth . (a) To look out of something, as from a window. (b) To threaten to come out . Jer. vi. 1. (Rev. Ver.). -- To look into , to inspect closely; to observe narrowly; to examine; as, to look into the works of nature; to look into one's conduct or affairs. -- To look on . (a) To regard; to esteem.

Her friends would look on her the worse.

Prior.

(b) To consider; to view; to conceive of; to think of.

I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer.

Dryden.

(c) To be a mere spectator .

I'll be a candleholder, and look on .

Shak.

-- To look out , to be on the watch; to be careful; as, the seaman looks out for breakers. -- To look through . (a) To see through. (b) To search; to examine with the eyes . -- To look to or unto . (a) To watch; to take care of. " Look well to thy herds." Prov. xxvii. 23. (b) To resort to with expectation of receiving something; to expect to receive from; as, the creditor may look to surety for payment. " Look unto me, and be ye saved." Is. xlv. 22. -- To look up , to search for or find out by looking; as, to look up the items of an account. -- To look up to , to respect; to regard with deference.

Look Look transitive verb 1. To look at; to turn the eyes toward.

2. To seek; to search for. [ Obsolete]

Looking my love, I go from place to place.

Spenser.

3. To expect. [ Obsolete] Shak.

4. To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence as, to look down opposition.

A spirit fit to start into an empire,
And look the world to law.

Dryden.

5. To express or manifest by a look.

Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again.

Byron.

To look daggers . See under Dagger . -- To look in the face , to face or meet with boldness or confidence; hence, sometimes, to meet for combat. -- To look out , to seek for; as, prudent persons look out associates of good reputation.

Look Look noun 1. The act of looking; a glance; a sight; a view; -- often in certain phrases; as, to have, get, take, throw, or cast, a look .

Threw many a northward look to see his father
Bring up his powers; but he did long in vain.

Shak.

2. Expression of the eyes and face; manner; as, a proud or defiant look . "Gentle looks ." Shak.

Up ! up! my friends, and clear your looks .

Wordsworth.

3. Hence; Appearance; aspect; as, the house has a gloomy look ; the affair has a bad look .

Pain, disgrace, and poverty have frighted looks .

Locke.

There was something that reminded me of Dante's Hell in the look of this.

Carlyle.

Lookdown Look"down` noun (Zoology) See Moonfish (b) .

Looker Look"er noun One who looks.

Looker-on , a spectator; one that looks on, but has no agency or part in an affair.

Did not this fatal war affront thy coast,
Yet sattest thou an idle looker-on ?

Fairfax.

Looking Look"ing adjective Having a certain look or appearance; -- often compounded with adjectives; as, good - looking , grand -looking , etc.

Looking Look"ing noun 1. The act of one who looks; a glance.

2. The manner in which one looks; appearance; countenance; face. [ Obsolete]

All dreary was his cheer and his looking .

Chaucer.

Looking for , anticipation; expectation. "A certain fearful looking for of judgment." Hebrew x. 27.

Looking-glass Look"ing-glass` noun A mirror made of glass on which has been placed a backing of some reflecting substance, as quicksilver.

There is none so homely but loves a looking- glass .

South.

Lookout Look"out` noun 1. A careful looking or watching for any object or event.

2. The place from which such observation is made.

3. A person engaged in watching.

4. Object or duty of forethought and care; responsibility. [ Colloq.]

Lool Lool noun (Metal.) A vessel used to receive the washings of ores of metals.

Loom Loom noun (Zoology) See Loon , the bird.

Loom Loom noun [ Middle English lome , Anglo-Saxon gelōma utensil, implement.]

1. 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.

Hector, when he sees Andromache overwhelmed with terror, sends her for consolation to the loom and the distaff.

Rambler.

2. (Nautical) That part of an oar which is near the grip or handle and inboard from the rowlock. Totten.

Loom Loom intransitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Loomed ; present participle & verbal noun Looming .] [ Middle English lumen to shine, Icelandic ljoma ; akin to Anglo-Saxon leóma light, and English light ; or confer Old French lumer to shine, Latin luminare to illumine, lumen light; akin to English light . √122. See Light not dark.] 1. 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.

Awful she looms , the terror of the main.

H. J. Pye.

2. To rise and to be eminent; to be elevated or ennobled, in a moral sense.

On no occasion does he [ Paul] loom so high, and shine so gloriously, as in the context.

J. M. Mason.

Loom Loom noun 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.

Loom-gale Loom"-gale` noun A gentle gale of wind.

Looming Loom"ing noun The indistinct and magnified appearance of objects seen in particular states of the atmosphere. See Mirage .

Loon Loon noun [ Scot. loun , lown , loon ; akin to OD. loen a stupid man; probably for an older lown , and akin to English lame .] A sorry fellow; a worthless person; a rogue.

Loon Loon noun [ For older loom , Icelandic l...mr ; akin to Dan. & Swedish lom .] (Zoology) Any one of several aquatic, wed-footed, northern birds of the genus Urinator (formerly Colymbus ), noted for their expertness in diving and swimming under water. The common loon, or great northern diver ( Urinator imber , or Colymbus torquatus ), and the red-throated loon or diver ( U. septentrionalis ), are the best known species. See Diver .

Loony Loon"y adjective See Luny .

Loop Loop (lōp) noun [ German luppe an iron lump. Confer Looping .] (Iron Works) A mass of iron in a pasty condition gathered into a ball for the tilt hammer or rolls. [ Written also loup .]

Loop Loop noun [ Confer Ir. & Gael. lub loop, noose, fold, thong, bend, lub to bend, incline.] 1. A fold or doubling of a thread, cord, rope, etc., through which another thread, cord, etc., can be passed, or which a hook can be hooked into; an eye, as of metal; a staple; a noose; a bight.

That the probation bear no hinge, nor loop
To hang a doubt on.

Shak.

2. A small, narrow opening; a loophole.

And stop all sight-holes, every loop from whence
The eye of Reason may pry in upon us.

Shak.

3. A curve of any kind in the form of a loop.

4. (Telegraphy) A wire forming part of a main circuit and returning to the point from which it starts.

5. (Acoustics) The portion of a vibrating string, air column, etc., between two nodes; -- called also ventral segment .

Loop knot , a single knot tied in a doubled cord, etc. so as to leave a loop beyond the knot. See Illust. of Knot .

Loop Loop (lōp) transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Looped (lōpt); present participle & verbal noun Looping .] To make a loop of or in; to fasten with a loop or loops; -- often with up ; as, to loop a string; to loop up a curtain.

Looped Looped (lōpt) adjective 1. Bent, folded, or tied, so as to make a loop; as, a looped wire or string.

2. Full of holes. [ Obsolete] Shak.

Looper Loop"er (lōp"ẽr) noun 1. An instrument, as a bodkin, for forming a loop in yarn, a cord, etc.

2. (Zoology) The larva of any species of geometrid moths. See Geometrid .

Loophole Loop"hole` noun 1. (Mil.) A small opening, as in the walls of fortification, or in the bulkhead of a ship, through which small arms or other weapons may be discharged at an enemy.

2. A hole or aperture that gives a passage, or the means of escape or evasion.

Loopholed Loop"holed` adjective Provided with loopholes.

Loopie Loop"ie adjective Deceitful; cunning; sly. [ Scot.]

Looping Loop"ing noun [ Confer Dutch loopen to run. Confer Loop a mass of iron, Leap .] (Metal.) The running together of the matter of an ore into a mass, when the ore is only heated for calcination.

Looping Loop"ing present participle & verbal noun of Loop .

Looping snail (Zoology) , any species of land snail of the genus Truncatella ; -- so called because it creeps like the measuring worms.

Looplight Loop"light` noun A small narrow opening or window in a tower or fortified wall; a loophole.

Loord Loord noun [ French lourd heavy, dull.] A dull, stupid fellow; a drone. [ Obsolete] Spenser.

Loos Loos noun [ Middle English los , from Old French los , laus .] Praise; fame; reputation. [ Obsolete] Spenser.

Good conscience and good loos .

Chaucer.

Loose Loose (lōs) adjective [ Compar. Looser ; superl. Loosest .] [ Middle English loos , lous , laus , Icelandic lauss ; akin to OD. loos , D. los, Anglo-Saxon leás false, deceitful, German los , loose, Dan. & Swedish lös , Goth. laus , and English lose . √127. See Lose , and confer Leasing falsehood.] 1. Unbound; untied; unsewed; not attached, fastened, fixed, or confined; as, the loose sheets of a book.

Her hair, nor loose , nor tied in formal plat.

Shak.

2. Free from constraint or obligation; not bound by duty, habit, etc.; -- with from or of .

Now I stand
Loose of my vow; but who knows Cato's thoughts ?

Addison.

3. Not tight or close; as, a loose garment.

4. Not dense, close, compact, or crowded; as, a cloth of loose texture.

With horse and chariots ranked in loose array.

Milton.

5. Not precise or exact; vague; indeterminate; as, a loose style, or way of reasoning.

The comparison employed . . . must be considered rather as a loose analogy than as an exact scientific explanation.

Whewel.

6. Not strict in matters of morality; not rigid according to some standard of right.

The loose morality which he had learned.

Sir W. Scott.

7. Unconnected; rambling.

Vario spends whole mornings in running over loose and unconnected pages.

I. Watts.

8. Lax; not costive; having lax bowels. Locke.

9. Dissolute; unchaste; as, a loose man or woman.

Loose ladies in delight.

Spenser.

10. Containing or consisting of obscene or unchaste language; as, a loose epistle. Dryden.

At loose ends , not in order; in confusion; carelessly managed. -- Fast and loose . See under Fast . -- To break loose . See under Break . -- Loose pulley . (Machinery) See Fast and loose pulleys , under Fast . -- To let loose , to free from restraint or confinement; to set at liberty.

Loose Loose noun 1. Freedom from restraint. [ Obsolete] Prior.

2. A letting go; discharge. B. Jonson.

To give a loose , to give freedom.

Vent all its griefs, and give a loose to sorrow.

Addison.

Loose Loose (lōs) v. noun [ imperfect & past participle Loosed (lōst); present participle & verbal noun Loosing .] [ From Loose , adjective ] 1. To untie or unbind; to free from any fastening; to remove the shackles or fastenings of; to set free; to relieve.

Canst thou . . . loose the bands of Orion ?

Job. xxxviii. 31.

Ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her; loose them, and bring them unto me.

Matt. xxi. 2.

2. To release from anything obligatory or burdensome; to disengage; hence, to absolve; to remit.

Art thou loosed from a wife ? seek not a wife.

1 Cor. vii. 27.

Whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matt. xvi. 19.

3. To relax; to loosen; to make less strict.

The joints of his loins were loosed .

Dan. v. 6.

4. To solve; to interpret. [ Obsolete] Spenser.

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