Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LOAF, n. [plur. Loaves. Sax. hlaf or laf; Goth. hlaibs; G. leib; Polish, chlieb; Bohemian, chleb; Russ. chlib or chleb; Croatian, hlib; Finnish, leipa or leipam; Lapponic, laibe. The German leib is rendered a loaf, and body, waist, belly; leiblich, which in English, would be loaf-like, signifies corporeal, bodily. Loaf then signifies a lump or mass, from some root that signifies to set, or to collect, or to form.]

1. A mass of bread when baked. It is larger than a cake. The size and price of a loaf, large cities, are regulated by law.
2. A mass or lump, as of sugar.
3. Any thick mass.