LOOP  . (I) A

curve or bend, particularly a bend in a string, rope, &c., formed by doubling back one part so as to leave an opening; similarly a ring of metal or other material leaving an aperture . (2) In architecture or fortification, " loop," more usually in the form " loophole," is an opening in the wall of a building, very narrow on the outside and splayed within, from which arrows or darts might be discharged on an enemy, or through which light might be admitted . They are often in the form of a cross, and generally have round holes at the ends (see OILLETS) . (3) The word is also a term in iron and steel manufacturing for a mass of metal ready for hammering or rolling, a " bloom." This last word is represented in French by loupe, from which it is probably adapted . The earlier English form was also loupe, and it was also applied to precious stones which were of inferior brilliancy; the same also appears in French . Of the word in its two first meanings, a bend or circle in a line of string, metal, rails, &c., and " loophole," the derivation is uncertain . Skeat takes the word in both meanings to be the same and to be of Scandinavian origin, the old Norwegian hlaup, a leap, being the direct source . The base is the Teutonic hlaufan, to run, to leap, German laufen . The New English Dictionary considers the Swedish example, lop-knut, " running knot," and others given by Skeat in support of his derivation to be German-isms, and also that the pronunciation of the word would have been lowp rather than lap . " Loop " in meaning (2) " loophole " is also taken to be a different word, and is derived from Dutch luipen, to peer, watch . In modern Dutch the word for a narrow opening is gluip .

2 Dunn and Saxby, however, agree in giving "

rain-goose " as the name of the species in Scotland .