loophole English · revision 2171

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈluːphəʊl/ ''(UK)''; /ˈluphoʊl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|en|loop|hole]],^(Etymonline)^(RHWU)^(Barnhart 1995) with Middle English ''loupe'' “a narrow opening in a wall”,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) perhaps from a continental Germanic source such as Middle Dutch ''lūpen'' “to watch, peer”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A small opening for ventilation (1464, as ''lopehole'').^(Barnhart 1995) Etymonline dates the word to the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A ''loupe'' was a slit in a wall that protected archers while they shot, or let in light and air.^(Etymonline) ''Loophole'' was used in the same way, for an opening to look or shoot through (1591).^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate) The figurative sense, “an outlet or means of escape”, dates from 1663–64,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) and today usually means an ambiguity or omission in a law or contract that allows it to be evaded.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1386 – ''loupe'', an opening in a wall.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1464 – ''lopehole'', an opening for ventilation.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1591 – an opening to look or shoot through.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1663–64 – an outlet, a means of escape.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1664 – verb, to make loopholes in.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A means of evading a rule, especially an ambiguity or omission in a law or contract.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A small opening or slit in a wall, especially one through which weapons may be fired or light and air admitted.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make loopholes in a wall or building.^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[hole]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}