Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Loss?

\Loss\, n. [AS. los loss, losing, fr. le['o]san to lose. ?. 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. Assured loss before the match be played. --Shak. 2. The state of losing or having lost; the privation, defect, misfortune, harm, etc., which ensues from losing. Though thou repent, yet I have still the loss. --Shak 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. 4. The state of being lost or destroyed; especially, the wreck or foundering of a ship or other vessel. 5. Failure to gain or win; as, loss of a race or battle. 6. Failure to use advantageously; as, loss of time. 7. (Mil.) Killed, wounded, and captured persons, or captured property. 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. {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.