|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
hoop
hoop / hoōp/ • n. a circular band of metal, wood, or similar material, esp. one used for binding the staves of barrels or forming part of a framework. ∎ the round metal rim from which a basketball net is suspended. ∎ (hoops) inf. the game of basketball. ∎ a large ring used as a toy by being bowled along. ∎ a large ring, typically with paper stretched over it, for circus performers to jump through. ∎ one of a pair of rings that hold fabric taut while it is being embroidered. ∎ hist. a circle of flexible material used for expanding a woman's petticoat or skirt. ∎ short for hoop petticoat. ∎ chiefly Brit. a croquet wicket. • v. [tr.] bind or encircle with or as with hoops. PHRASES: jump through hoops perform a difficult and grueling series of tests at someone else's request or command: we had to jump through all sorts of hoops to win accreditation. shoot hoops play basketball.DERIVATIVES: hooped adj. |
|
|
Cite this article
"hoop." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hoop." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-hoop.html "hoop." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-hoop.html |
|
hoop
hoop.
1. In old-fashioned gaff-rigged sailing craft the luff of the mainsail was secured to the mast by wooden hoops which slid up and down the mast as the sail was hoisted and lowered. 2. Although square in form, the metal bands which held the stock of the old-fashioned anchors to the shank were called hoops. 3. The name given to an old form of naval punishment for two men accused of fighting each other below decks. They were stripped to the waist, their left hands bound to a wooden hoop, and with a knotted cord in their right hand had to lash each other until one of them gave in. The loser knew that he would usually also receive a few lashes with the cat-o'-nine-tails, a means of ensuring that neither man was anxious to capitulate first. |
|
|
Cite this article
"hoop." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hoop." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-hoop.html "hoop." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-hoop.html |
|
hoop
hoop2 utter a cry of ‘hoop’. XIV. ME. houpe, howpe — (O)F. houper, f. houp (imit.).
Hence hooping (later whooping)-cough XVIII. cf. WHOOP. |
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "hoop." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "hoop." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hoop1.html T. F. HOAD. "hoop." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hoop1.html |
|
hoop
hoop1 circle of metal, etc. XII. Late OE. hōp = MDu. hoop (Du. hoep) :- WGmc. *χōpa, rel. to ON. hōp small land-locked bay.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "hoop." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "hoop." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hoop.html T. F. HOAD. "hoop." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hoop.html |
|
hoop
hoop
•bloop, cock-a-hoop, coop, croup, droop, drupe, dupe, goop, group, Guadeloupe, hoop, loop, poop, recoup, roup, scoop, sloop, snoop, soup, stoep, stoop, stoup, stupe, swoop, troop, troupe, whoop
•hula-hoop • cantaloupe • nincompoop
•playgroup • subgroup • peer group
|
|
|
Cite this article
"hoop." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hoop." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-hoop.html "hoop." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-hoop.html |
|