n. [ AS. los loss, losing, fr. leísan to lose. √127. See Lose, v. t. ] 1. The act of losing; failure; destruction; privation; as, the loss of property; loss of money by gaming; loss of health or reputation. [ 1913 Webster ] Assured loss before the match be played. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The state of losing or having lost; the privation, defect, misfortune, harm, etc., which ensues from losing. [ 1913 Webster ] Though thou repent, yet I have still the loss. Shak [ 1913 Webster ] 3. That which is lost or from which one has parted; waste; -- opposed to gain or increase; as, the loss of liquor by leakage was considerable. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. The state of being lost or destroyed; especially, the wreck or foundering of a ship or other vessel. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Failure to gain or win; as, loss of a race or battle. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. Failure to use advantageously; as, loss of time. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. (Mil.) Killed, wounded, and captured persons, or captured property. [ 1913 Webster ] 8. (Insurance) Destruction or diminution of value, if brought about in a manner provided for in the insurance contract (as destruction by fire or wreck, damage by water or smoke), or the death or injury of an insured person; also, the sum paid or payable therefor; as, the losses of the company this year amount to a million of dollars. [ 1913 Webster ]
To bear a loss, to make a loss good; also, to sustain a loss without sinking under it. --
To be at a loss, to be in a state of uncertainty.
Syn. -- Privation; detriment; injury; damage. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
