loophole

Meanings

Noun

• A slit in a castle wall; today, any similar window for shooting a ranged weapon or letting in light. Also written loop hole.
• A method of escape, especially an ambiguity or exception in a rule or law that can be exploited in order to avoid its effect.

Verb

• To prepare a building for defense by preparing slits or holes through which to fire on attackers
• To exploit (a law, etc.) by means of loopholes.

Origin

• From loupe + hole, from a Germanic source. Compare Medieval Latin loupa and Middle Dutch lupen.