loophole
loop·hole
noun
1.
an ambiguity (especially one in the text of a law or contract) that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation
2.
a small hole in a fortified wall; for observation or discharging weapons
Origin
From Middle English loupe (“opening in a wall”) + hole, from a Germanic source. By surface analysis, loop + hole. Compare Medieval Latin loupa, lobia and Middle Dutch lupen (“to watch”).
Phrases
- boyfriend loophole
- every law has a loophole
- every law has its loophole
- legal vacuum
- lo mein loophole
- poophole loophole
Related words
WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.