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hoops

- 3 dictionary results

hoop

[hoop, hoop]
–noun
1. a circular band or ring of metal, wood, or other stiff material.
2. such a band for holding together the staves of a cask, tub, etc.
3. a large ring of iron, wood, plastic, etc., used as a plaything for a child to roll along the ground.
4. a circular or ringlike object, part, figure, etc.
5. the shank of a finger ring.
6. Croquet. a wicket.
7. a circular band of stiff material used to expand and display a woman's skirt.
8. hoop skirt.
9. Basketball Informal.
a. the metal ring from which the net is suspended; rim.
b. the metal ring and net taken together; the basket.
c. the game of basketball.
10. a decorative band, as around a mug or cup.
11. hoop iron.
–verb (used with object)
12. to bind or fasten with or as if with a hoop or hoops.
13. to encircle; surround.

Origin:
1125–75; ME hope, hoop, late OE hōp; c. D hoep


hoopless, adjective
hooplike, adjective

hoop skirt

–noun
1. a woman's skirt made to stand out and drape in a stiff bell-like shape from the waist by an undergarment framework of flexible hoops connected by tapes.
2. the framework for such a skirt.
Also called hoop.


Origin:
1855–60, Americanism
hoop   (hōōp, hŏŏp)   
n.  
  1. A circular band of metal or wood put around a cask or barrel to bind the staves together.
  2. A large wooden, plastic, or metal ring, especially one used as a plaything or for trained animals to jump through.
  3. One of the lightweight circular supports for a hoop skirt.
  4. A circular, ringlike earring.
  5. One of a pair of circular wooden or metal frames used to hold material taut for embroidery or similar needlework.
  6. Basketball
    1. The basket.
    2. A field goal: hit a big hoop.
    3. also hoops The game of basketball.
  7. Sports A croquet wicket.
tr.v.   hooped, hoop·ing, hoops
  1. To hold together or support with or as if with a hoop.
  2. To encircle.

[Middle English hop.]
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