Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Loom \Loom\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   See {Loon}, the bird.

Loom \Loom\, n. [OE. lome, AS. gel?ma utensil, implement.]
   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.

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

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

Loom \Loom\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Loomed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Looming}.] [OE. lumen to shine, Icel. ljoma; akin to AS.
   le['o]ma light, and E. light; or cf. OF. lumer to shine, L.
   luminare to illumine, lumen light; akin to E. light. ? 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.

            Awful she looms, the terror of the main. --H. J.
                                                  Pye.

   2. 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. --J. M.
                                                  Mason.

Loom \Loom\, 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.

Source : WordNet®

loom
     n : a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile
     v 1: come into view indistinctly, often threateningly; "Another
          air plane loomed into the sky"
     2: appear very large or occupy a commanding position; "The huge
        sculpture predominates over the fountain"; "Large shadows
        loomed on the canyon wall" [syn: {tower}, {predominate}, {hulk}]
     3: hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing;
        "The terrible vision brooded over her all day long" [syn:
        {brood}, {hover}, {bulk large}]