loom
verb
- to weave (a tapestry, for example) on a loom
- appear in a threatening manner
noun
- a distorted, threatening appearance of something, as through fog or darkness
noun
- device for weaving textiles, generally having mechanisms to hold warp threads in tension and to create a shed or opening for filling threads to pass through
verb
- to come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions
- to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form
- to take shape as an impending occurrence
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /luːm/ / /lum/
noun
Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps from Old Norse ljóma (“to shine, radiate”). Alternatively, perhaps related to Saterland Frisian loomje (“to limp, hobble”), German Low German lahmen (“to limp, hobble”), Swedish loma (“to go slowly”), Middle Dutch loemen (“to wreck, spoil”), Middle High German lüemen (“to become weak, limp, tire”); see English lame.
- A distorted appearance of something as seen indistinctly or from afar.
verb
Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps from Old Norse ljóma (“to shine, radiate”). Alternatively, perhaps related to Saterland Frisian loomje (“to limp, hobble”), German Low German lahmen (“to limp, hobble”), Swedish loma (“to go slowly”), Middle Dutch loemen (“to wreck, spoil”), Middle High German lüemen (“to become weak, limp, tire”); see English lame.
- To appear indistinctly, e.g. when seen on the horizon or through the murk.
“The clouds loomed over the mountains.”
“[…] yonder cloud That rises upward always higher, And onward drags a labouring breast, And topples round the dreary west, A looming bastion fringed with fire.”
- 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.”
“In the meantime, SWR staff have warned privately that an acute shortage of rolling stock is looming, because the new trains are not ready.”
- 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.”