Loop (pronounced loop)
(1) A portion of a cord, ribbon, etc., folded or doubled
upon itself so as to leave an opening between the parts; the opening so formed.
(2) Anything shaped more or less like a closed curve, as
a line drawn on paper, a part of a letter or other symbol, a part of a path, or
a line of motion.
(3) A curved piece or a ring of metal, wood, or the like,
used for the insertion of something, as a handle, etc.
(4) In clinical slang, an intrauterine device (IUD), so
named for the “loop” shape.
(5) In aeronautics, a maneuver executed by an airplane in
such a manner that the airplane describes a closed curve in a vertical plane.
(6) In urban mass-transportation, a circular area at the
end of a trolley line, railroad line etc, where cars turn around; (transport); a
public transport (bus, rail, tram etc) route that starts and ends at the same
point.
(7) In highway design, an arm of a cloverleaf where
traffic may turn off or onto a main road or highway.
(8) In road design, a ring road or beltway.
(9) In physics, the part of a vibrating string, column of
air or other medium, etc, between two adjacent nodes.
(10) In electricity, a closed electric or magnetic
circuit.
(11) In computing, the reiteration of a set of
instructions in a routine or program (which can be intentional or an error); a sequence
of instructions repeated until or while a particular condition is satisfied.
(12) In biological science, a wire, usually of platinum,
one end of which is curved to form a loop, used for transferring microorganisms
from one medium to another.
(13) In biochemistry, a flexible region in a protein's
secondary structure.
(14) A sandbar enclosing (or nearly enclosing) a body of
water.
(15) In figure skating, a school figure in which a skater
traces a large half circle, a small oval within its arc, and another large half
circle to complete the figure while remaining on the same skating edge.
(16) As “The Loop”, the main business centre in the CBD
of Chicago, Illinois.
(17) A small or narrow opening in a wall; a loophole
(archaic).
(18) In metalworking, a hot bloom of pasty consistency,
to be worked under a hammer or in rolls (the old alternative spelling was loup (mass
of iron)).
(19) In graph theory, an edge that begins and ends on the
same vertex.
(20) In topology, a path that starts and ends at the same
point.
(21) In algebra, a quasi-group with an identity element.
(22) In North American use, a sports league (now rare).
(23) In dactylography (the study of fingerprints), one of
the three primary shapes assumed by the ridges (arches, loops, and whorls). (Dermatoglyphics is the broader scientific
study of the patterns of ridges on the fingers, palms, toes, and soles).
(24) To form into a loop.
(25) To make a loop in.
(26) To enfold or encircle in or with something arranged
in a loop.
(27) To fasten by forming into a loop, or by means of
something formed into a loop (often followed by up).
(28) In ballistics, to cause a missile or projectile to
trace a looping or loop-like trajectory while in flight.
(29) To fly an airplane in a loop or series of loops.
(30) In electronics, to connect conductors in the shape
of a loop within a closed electric or magnetic circuit.
(31) In film, television etc production, to complete by
recording dialogue, sound effects, etc onto an existing film track or
soundtrack; an endless strip of tape or film allowing continuous repetition.
(32) In zoology, to move by forming loops (certain worms,
caterpillars et al).
1350–1400: From the Middle English loupe & loup (loop of
cloth; loophole; noose), from the earlier lowp-knot
(loop-knot), of North Germanic origin, from the Old Norse hlaup (a run), used in the sense of “a running knot”, from hlaupa (to leap), ultimately from the Proto-Germanic
hlaupaną (to leap, run) (and related
to the Swedish löp-knut (loop-knot), the
Danish løb-knude (a running knot) and
the Danish løb (a course)..Etymologists
are divided over whether loop has any connection with the Middle Irish & Old
Irish lúb (bend, fold, loop) and
perhaps akin to “leap”; nor is it clear if there was any relationship with the Middle
Dutch lūpen (lie in wait, peep, peer). The special use in metalworking dates from
1665-1675 and was etymologically unrelated; it was from the French loupe, a special
use of loupe (wen, knob, gnarl),
ultimately from a Germanic source. The
verb was derived from the noun. Loop
& looping are nouns & verbs, looper is a noun, looped is a verb &
adjective and loopable & loopy are adjectives; the noun plural is loops.
Inner hippie: Lindsay Lohan likes the peace sign but in an age when high definition photography makes possible, even at a distance, the precise capturing of the arches, loops, and whorls of fingerprints, it’s now a potential risk. AI (artificial intelligence) engines are now reported as achieving a success rate in excess of 50% in generating fake fingerprints so accurately they can “fool” biometric scanners.
As an acronym, LOOP can mean (1) loss of offsite power,
(2) Listed on Other Page (online marketplaces), (3) Law of One Price (finance;
economic theory) and Long-Range Open Ocean Patrol (admiralty jargon). In dactylography (the study of fingerprints),
the three primary shapes assumed by the ridges (arches, loops, and whorls) were
first formerly defined in 1880. It was
first used of magnetic recording tape or film in 1931 while in computer
programming in the sense of “a sequence of instructions, executed repeatedly”,
the first known reference dates from 1947.
The noun looper (plural loopers) can mean (1) someone who loops (in
various contexts, (2) an instrument or tool, such as a bodkin, for forming a
loop in yarn or cord etc, (3) A moth having a caterpillar which arches its body
into a loop in order to bring the back part of the body forward as it walks due
to having fewer prolegs (an appendage of the abdomen of some insect larvae), (4)
a (no almost always electronic) tool for creating music loops, (5) a golf caddy
and (6) in baseball, a synonym of blooper (a fly ball that is weakly hit just
over the infielders). The adjective
loopy can describe (1) something in such a shape or (2) (in slang) someone
thought crazy or deranged. The latter
meaning dates from as late as 1923 but a century earlier it had entered English
in the sense of “crafty or deceitful) in the novels of Sir Walter Scott
(1771–1832).
There are literally dozens
of derived “loop” phrases and idiomatic forms, some of the better known being: “infinite
loop” (also as endless loop) (in computer programming a series of instructions
which repeats until interrupted), “feedback loop” (a self-reinforcing or
self-weakening effect which was used in the language of the military, political
science, psychology, physics and other fields before becoming popular in
discussions of global warming, “close the loop” (in managerial jargon, to follow
up; to tie up loose ends; to resolve), “in the loop” (being well-informed; up
to date; having current knowledge; being part of the discussion; the companion
antonym being “out of the loop”, “fruitloop” (someone thought crazy or deranged
(Fruit Loops originally a brand of sugary breakfast cereal), “death loop” (in video
gaming the situation in which a player is killed and then respawns in the exact
same time and place, destined thus endlessly to be killed, usually in a gruesome
way, “belt loop” (the fittings on trousers & skirts through which one’s
belt passes), “Lebanese loop” (in slang the “skimming device” fitted to an automatic
teller machine (ATM or “cash dispenser”) used by criminals to collect personal information
(such as pin numbers), “loophole” (in figurative use an ambiguity or exception
in a rule or law that can be exploited in order to avoid the usual consequences
(and originally "a slit in a castle wall used for observation or mounting
a weapon)) and “loop quantum gravity” (a mysterious theory which attempts to
reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity, according to which space
can be regarded as an extremely fine fabric of finite loops).
In the loop: MECCA MAXIMA, Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia.
MECCA is an Australian cosmetics house with a presence in
Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the PRC (People’s Republic of China), its private label brands including Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Max, Kit and Mecca-ssentials. It runs a programme (a kind of hybrid
of a loyalty & reward scheme) called “Beauty Loop”, organized into
layers, the parameters of which are based on one’s annual spend; as one spends
more, one ascends to a higher level and, the higher one’s level, the greater the
rewards (ie an effective discount). The MECCA Beauty Loop has four
levels of recognition (1, 2, 3 & 4) and purchases made online or in-store
contribute to one’s annual total. MECCA labels the customer profile in the Beauty Loop layers progressively as (1) Beauty
Discoverer, (2) Beauty Devotee (3) Beauty Aficionado and (4) Beauty Connoisseur,
explaining the Beauty Loop mechanics thus:
Level 1: Aus$300.00–Aus$599.99
spend per year: As a Beauty Discoverer,
every day is a beauty adventure: exploring new products, new brands, new
categories and experiencing them for the very first time. Come with us on this beauty journey where we
will share with you our love of beauty with four rewards each year, including
Beauty Loop Boxes (a curation of special samples) and Beauty Loop Bonuses
(extra beauty products we just need to share!). Plus, a gift to celebrate your birthday, when
you spend $300 AUD per year (12 months).
Level 2: Aus$600.00–Aus$1,199.99
spend per year: As a Beauty Devotee, you
are immersed in the world’s best in beauty. And just like us, you love to hear
about the latest beauty trends, breakthroughs and products. As a Level 2 member you will receive seven
rewards each year, including Beauty Loop Boxes (a curation of special samples)
and Beauty Loop Bonuses (extra beauty products we just need to share!). Plus, a gift to celebrate your birthday, when
you spend $600 AUD per year (12 months).
Level 3: Aus$1,200.00–Aus$3,499.99
spend per year: As a Beauty Aficionado, you
live and breathe all things beauty: you know all about the tried-and-trusted
classics but also love to explore what’s fresh and new. We’ll bring you more of
the world you love with eight rewards each year, including Beauty Loop Boxes (a
curation of special samples) and Beauty Loop Bonuses (extra beauty products we
just need to share). Plus, one complimentary makeup application, a gift to
celebrate your birthday, pre-launch access to new and limited-edition products
and events by invitation – and more! All this when you spend $1200 AUD per year
(12 months).
Level 4: Aus$3,500.000+
spend per year: As a Beauty Connoisseur,
your passion for beauty is unmatched. You would go to the ends of the earth for
beauty’s most coveted (as would we!). As our most beauty-obsessed members, you
can expect our most exciting, luxurious rewards. You will receive nine rewards
each year, including Beauty Loop Boxes (a curation of special samples) and
Beauty Loop Bonuses (extra beauty products we just need to share). Plus, one
complimentary makeup application, pre-launch access to new and limited-edition
products, access to exclusive invitation-only events, and of course, a birthday
gift from us to you with love. All this and more when you spend $3,500 AUD per
year (12 months).
Beauty Loop is a popular scheme, said now to enjoy a
membership in excess of 4½ million Beauty
Discoverers, Devotees, Aficionados & Connoisseurs (MECCA doesn’t publish a
breakdown) but in 2023 there was on-line speculation there may be an exclusive,
secret layer of the loop (presumably known as Level 5) for those who
spend much more. It all sounded quite Masonic and there was
speculation at least some MECCA staff must know about the mysterious Level 5 but
were not permitted to discuss it and, if asked, were instructed to deny the existence of such a
thing. What Level 5 Beauty Loop members
would be called attracted speculation and the most popular suggestions were “Beauty
Addict”, “Beauty Obsessive” & “Beauty Cultist”, the consensus being floor staff
would be able to confirm the identity of Level 5 members by some unobvious and ambiguous
flag in the MECCA database rather than something Masonic like a secret
handshake. Fueling the conspiratorial atmospherics, MECCA seems to have adopted the Pentagon's "neither confirm nor deny" policy (invoked usually when questioned about the existence of nuclear weapons in certain places) so the hunt for a MECCA "deep throat" continues.
Lindsay Lohan’s daring display of naked belt loops; note the hooking of the thumbs (right). A belt will usually include a loop next to the buckle, used to keep the end of the belt in place. This is called the "keeper".
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