[f. LOOP v.1 + -ER1.] One who or that which makes loops.
1. The larva of any geometrid moth.
1731. Albin, Birds, I. 2. A … number of green Caterpillars call’d Loopers.
1819. G. Samouelle, Entomol. Compend., 250. Caterpillars half loopers.
1869. Eng. Mech., 24 Dec., 345/2. The extensive family known as the Geometers or Loopers … proceed by a regular series of strides, the middle of the body forming a loop.
1882. Garden, 25 Feb., 132/2. The caterpillars of these [Swallow-tail] moths are called Loopers.
2. a. A contrivance for making loops, e.g., in a sewing-machine. b. An implement for looping strips together in making rag-carpets.
1857. Abridgm. Specif. Patents, Sewing, etc. (1871), 99. It [the diagonal needle] immediately becomes a simple looper to take the thread from the vertical needle.
1891. 19th Cent., 941. In 1880 a machine called the ‘looper’ was invented. Note. The looper is the shuttle of a double-thread sewing-machine, which holds the under thread.
1895. Chamb. Jrnl., 21 Sept., 599/2. Making a chain-stitch by means of a revolving looper.
