loss

jargon Something (not a person) that loses; a situation in

which something is losing. Emphatic forms include "moby

loss", and "total loss", "complete loss". Common

interjections are "What a loss!" and "What a moby loss!"

Note that "moby loss" is OK even though **"moby loser" is not

used; applied to an abstract noun, moby is simply a magnifier,

whereas when applied to a person it implies substance and has

positive connotations.

Compare lossage.

(1995-04-19)