Both Uses of
loophole
in
Don Quixote
- To go on with my story; the courtyard of our prison was overlooked by the windows of the house belonging to a wealthy Moor of high position; and these, as is usual in Moorish houses, were rather loopholes than windows, and besides were covered with thick and close lattice-work.†
Chpt 1.39-40loopholes = things left out of a rules that make it possible to evade difficulties or obligations
- "Only one of your fair hands," said Maritornes, "to enable her to vent over it the great passion passion which has brought her to this loophole, so much to the risk of her honour; for if the lord her father had heard her, the least slice he would cut off her would be her ear."†
Chpt 1.43-44 *loophole = something left out of a rule that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation
Definitions:
-
(1)
(loophole) a gap in a rule, allowing avoidance of the rule's core intent -- especially in the text of a law or contract
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) Less commonly, loophole can refer to a small opening in a castle that provides light and air, and allows an arrow to be fired from within. The opening is narrow enough that it is largely protects from incoming arrows.