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Coil vs Loop - What's the difference?

coil | loop |

Loop is a synonym of coil.



As nouns the difference between coil and loop

is that coil is something wound in the form of a helix or spiral while loop is a length of thread, line or rope that is doubled over to make an opening.

As verbs the difference between coil and loop

is that coil is to wind or reel e.g. a wire or rope into regular rings, often around a centerpiece while loop is to form something into a loop.

coil

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) ; compare legend.

Noun

(en noun)
  • Something wound in the form of a helix or spiral.
  • the sinuous coils of a snake
  • * Washington Irving
  • The wild grapevines that twisted their coils from tree to tree.
  • Any intra-uterine contraceptive device (Abbreviation: IUD )—the first IUDs were coil-shaped.
  • (electrical) A coil of electrically conductive wire through which electricity can flow.
  • (figurative) Entanglement; perplexity.
  • Synonyms
    * (coil of conductive wire) inductor
    Derived terms
    * coil spring * impedance coil * mosquito coil * Oudin coil * Tesla coil

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To wind or reel e.g. a wire or rope into regular rings, often around a centerpiece.
  • A simple transformer can be made by coiling two pieces of insulated copper wire around an iron heart.
  • To wind into loops (roughly) around a common center.
  • The sailor coiled the free end of the hawser on the pier.
  • To wind cylindrically or spirally.
  • to coil a rope when not in use
    The snake coiled itself before springing.
  • (obsolete, rare) To encircle and hold with, or as if with, coils.
  • Etymology 2

    Origin unknown.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A noise, tumult, bustle, or turmoil.
  • * 1594 , William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus , Act III:
  • If the windes rage, doth not the Sea wax mad, / Threatning the welkin with his big-swolne face? / And wilt thou haue a reason for this coile ?
  • * 1624 , John Smith, Generall Historie , in Kupperman 1988, p. 162:
  • this great Savage desired also to see him. A great coyle there was to set him forward.
  • * 1704 , Jonathan Swift, A Tale of a Tub :
  • they continued so extremely fond of gold, that if Peter sent them abroad, though it were only upon a compliment, they would roar, and spit, and belch, and piss, and f—t, and snivel out fire, and keep a perpetual coil , till you flung them a bit of gold [...].
    Derived terms
    * mortal coil

    Anagrams

    * ----

    loop

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A length of thread, line or rope that is doubled over to make an opening.
  • The opening so formed.
  • A shape produced by a curve that bends around and crosses itself.
  • Arches, loops , and whorls are patterns found in fingerprints.
  • A ring road or beltway.
  • An endless strip of tape or film allowing continuous repetition.
  • A complete circuit for an electric current.
  • (programming) A programmed sequence of instructions that is repeated until or while a particular condition is satisfied.
  • (graph theory) An edge that begins and ends on the same vertex.
  • (topology) A path that starts and ends at the same point.
  • (algebra) A quasigroup with an identity element.
  • A loop-shaped intrauterine device.
  • An aerobatic maneuver in which an aircraft flies a circular path in a vertical plane.
  • A small, narrow opening; a loophole.
  • * Shakespeare
  • And stop all sight-holes, every loop from whence / The eye of Reason may pry in upon us.
  • (mass of iron).
  • Derived terms

    * * * * * * * * * * * *

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To form something into a loop.
  • To fasten or encircle something with a loop.
  • To fly an aircraft in a loop.
  • To move something in a loop.
  • To join electrical components to complete a circuit.
  • To form a loop.
  • To move in a loop.
  • The program loops until the user presses a key.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=February 4 , author=Gareth Roberts , title=Wales 19-26 England , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The outstanding Tom Palmer won a line-out and then charged into the heart of the Welsh defence, scrum-half Ben Youngs moved the ball swiftly right and Cueto's looping pass saw Ashton benefit from a huge overlap to again run in untouched.}}

    Derived terms

    * loop in * loop the loop

    See also

    *