LOOP-HOLES. Small openings made in the walls of a castle, or a fortification, for musketry to fire through. Also, certain apertures formed in the bulk-heads, hatches, and other parts of a merchant-ship, through which small arms might be fired on an enemy who boarded her, and for close fight. They were formerly called meurtrières, and were introduced in British slave-vessels.
LOOPS of a Gun-carriage. The iron eye-bolts to which the tackles are hooked.
LOOSE, To. To unfurl or cast loose any sail, in order to its being set, or dried after rain.
LOOSE A ROPE, To. To cast it off, or let it go.
LOOSE FALL. The losing of a whale after an apparently good opportunity for striking it.
LOOSE ICE. A number of pieces near each other, but through which the ship can make her way.
LOOSERS. Men appointed to loose the sails.
LOOSING FOR SEA. Weighing the anchor.
LOOT. Plunder, or pillage; a term adopted from China.
LOOVERED BATTENS. The battens that inclose the upper part of the well. (See [Loover-ways].)