Loss (lŏs; 115), n. [AS.
los loss, losing, fr. leósan 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.
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.