loom

n. [ OE. lome, AS. gelōma utensil, implement. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hector, when he sees Andromache overwhelmed with terror, sends her for consolation to the loom and the distaff. Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) That part of an oar which is near the grip or handle and inboard from the rowlock. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Loomed p. pr. & vb. n. Looming. ] [ OE. lumen to shine, Icel. ljoma; akin to AS. leíma light, and E. light; or cf. OF. lumer to shine, L. luminare to illumine, lumen light; akin to E. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Awful she looms, the terror of the main. H. J. Pye. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To rise and to be eminent; to be elevated or ennobled, in a moral sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

On no occasion does he [ Paul ] loom so high, and shine so gloriously, as in the context. J. M. Mason. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To become imminent; to impend. [ PJC ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A gentle gale of wind. [ 1913 Webster ]