Loam (?), n. [AS. lām;
akin to D. leem, G. lehm, and E. lime. See 4th
Lime.] 1. A kind of soil; an earthy
mixture of clay and sand, with organic matter to which its fertility
is chiefly due.
We wash a wall of loam; we labor in
vain.
Hooker.
2. (Founding) A mixture of sand, clay,
and other materials, used in making molds for large castings, often
without a pattern.
Loam mold (Founding), a mold made
with loam. See Loam, n., 2. --
Loam molding, the process or business of making
loam molds. Loam plate, an iron plate upon
which a section of a loam mold rests, or from which it is
suspended. -- Loam work, loam molding or
loam molds.
Loam, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Loamed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Loaming.] To cover, smear, or fill with loam.