loom

Etymology 1

From Middle English lome, from Old English lōma, ġelōma (“tool, utensil, implement, article of furniture, household effect”) (also as andlōma, andġelōma, andlāma (“utensil, instrument, implement, tool, vessel”), from Proto-West Germanic *lōmō, *lamō (“tool, utensil”), of uncertain origin. Cognate with Dutch alaam, allaam (“tool, household ware or good, appliance”), from Middle Dutch andlame. Perhaps originally meaning "a thing of frequent use, thing repeatedly needed", in which case, akin to Old English ġelōme (“often, frequently, continually, repeatedly”), from Proto-Germanic *ga- + *lōmiz, *lōmijaz (“lame, halt”), from Proto-Indo-European *lem- (“to break, soften”). Compare Old High German giluomo, kilōmo (“often, frequently”), Old High German luomen (“to wear out, fatigue”), Old High German *luomī (as in gastluomī (“hospitality”), Old English lama (“lame”). See lame.

noun

1. A utensil; tool; a weapon; (usually in compound) an article in general.
   heirloom, workloom
2. 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.
   January 8, 1751, Samuel Johnson, "The Mischiefs of Total Idleness" in The Rambler Hector, when he sees Andromache overwhelmed with terror, sends her for consolation to the loom and the distaff.
3. The part of an oar which is between the grip or handle and the blade; the shaft.

Etymology 2

Shetland dialect, denoting a diver or guillemot, from Old Norse lómr, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leh₂- (“to howl”) (expressive root).

noun

1. (dated) loon (bird of order Gaviiformes)

Etymology 3

From Old Norse ljóma (“to shine”).

verb

1. To appear indistinctly, e.g. when seen on the horizon or through the murk.
   The clouds loomed over the mountains.
2. (figurative) To appear in an exaggerated or threatening form; (of a person or thing) to tower; (of an idea) to impressively or intimidatingly occupy the mind; (of an event) to be imminent.
   With no extra-time to be played and penalties looming, the Portuguese winger pounced on some hesitant City defending to run on to a Wayne Rooney clearance, round Joe Hart and slot home. August 7, 2011, Chris Bevan, “Man City 2 - 3 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport
   In the meantime, SWR staff have warned privately that an acute shortage of rolling stock is looming, because the new trains are not ready. November 3 2021, Paul Clifton, “Network News: Rolling stock concerns as '701s' "not fit for purpose"”, in RAIL, number 943, page 21
3. (figurative) 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. 1822, John M. Mason, The Evangelical Ministry Exemplified in the Apostle Paul

noun

1. A distorted appearance of something as seen indistinctly or from afar.