loose

[[t]lus[/t]]

adj. loos•er, loos•est, adv. v.

1) free or released from fastening or attachment:

a loose end[/ex]

2) not firmly fixed or attached:

a loose tooth; a loose board in a floor[/ex]

3) free from confinement or restraint; unfettered:

loose cats prowling around[/ex]

4) not bound together:

loose papers; to wear one's hair loose[/ex]

5) not put up in a package or other container:

loose mushrooms[/ex]

6) not fitting closely or tightly:

a loose sweater[/ex]

7) not firm, taut, or rigid:

loose skin; a loose rein[/ex]

8) relaxed or limber in nature:

to run with a loose, open stride[/ex]

9) not close or compact in structure or arrangement:

a loose weave[/ex]

10) imposing few restraints; allowing freedom for independent action:

a loose federation of city-states[/ex]

11) not strict, exact, or precise:

a loose translation[/ex]

12) available for disposal; not appropriated:

loose funds[/ex]

13) lacking in reticence or power of restraint:

a loose tongue[/ex]

14) (of the bowels) lax

15) cvb lacking moral restraint or integrity:

loose character[/ex]

16) sexually promiscuous or immoral

17) chem. uncombined, as a chemical element

18) in a loose manner; loosely (often used in combination):

loose-fitting[/ex]

19) to free from bonds or restraint

20) to release, as from constraint, obligation, or penalty

21) naut. navig. to set free from fastening or attachment:

to loose a boat from its moorings[/ex]

22) to unfasten, undo, or untie, as a bond or knot

23) to shoot; discharge; let fly:

to loose missiles at the invaders[/ex]

24) to make less tight; slacken

25) to let go a hold

26) naut. navig. to hoist anchor; get under way

27) to shoot or let fly an arrow, bullet, etc. (often fol. by off)

•

- break loose cast loose cut loose hang let loose on the loose turn

Etymology: 1175–1225; ME los, loos < ON lauss loose, free, empty, c. OE lēas; see -less loose′ly, adv. loose′ness, n.