Appearing as a vague, threatening, or imposing shape, especially through mist or darkness. Can also mean approaching menacingly or seeming about to happen in a threatening way.
From Middle English 'lomen', possibly related to East Frisian 'lomen' meaning 'to move slowly'. The word originally described the indistinct appearance of objects seen from a distance, especially ships at sea. The threatening connotation developed from the ominous feeling of seeing unclear shapes approaching through fog or darkness.
The word 'looming' perfectly captures that eerie feeling of something large and unclear approaching - it's why we say both 'a ship looming through the fog' and 'disaster looming ahead'. Interestingly, 'loom' as a weaving device comes from a completely different root, though both suggest something taking shape or coming into being.
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