"Loop" has conflicting meanings in traditional terminology, so it's not a clear and unambiguous term to use. "Eye" is another possibility, but "eye" suggests or implies smallness. For example, go to any hardware store and look at their eye bolts...virtually all of them are relatively small (usually under 3"). Ostrich eyes are generally 2" in diameter and are the largest eyes among land animals, and so on. "Eye" suggests smallness, which to me makes it less suitable than "ring" because rings can be found in all sizes from very small to very large (e.g. wedding rings to gymnastics rings to circus rings to Saturn's rings). In addition, "ring" is an ideal fit with "ring-loading," which is a traditional term that seems sensible and unambiguous enough to keep in the new lexicon.

Changed the definition of .Ring from "oval-shaped" to "elliptical." There are numerous examples of elliptical or oval rings of varying sizes:

ellipitcal rings of dust around stars, e.g. http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:gw_E5CCG41EJ:www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html%3Fpid%3D549+Elliptical+Ring&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

elliptical ring binders, e.g. http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/931634/Avery-Elliptical-Ring-Binder-With-Metal/

elliptical diamond rings, e.g. http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3864101&camp=CSE_GoogleBase&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=3864101

elliptical ring microstrip antennas, e.g. http://www.springerlink.com/content/pg636q8lh4674875/

elliptical ferromagnetic rings, e.g. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TJJ-4MC77G6-2D&_user=997448&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2007&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1227488464&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050079&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=997448&md5=d4db473439ef88b31f6e3c99d42a8101

elliptical rings in math/physics, e.g. http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=132908

elliptical ring structures in lunar craters, e.g. http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:t8Q8S3V8KWwJ:www.answers.com/topic/elliptical-ring-structure+elliptical+ring&cd=14&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Elliptical ring splints for finger injuries, e.g. http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/4932396/description.html

elliptical-ring-shaped magnets, e.g. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2003JPhD...36.2031C

Oval Shower Curtain Rings, e.g. http://www.signaturehardware.com/class221

Oval Split Rings for fishing lures, e.g. http://www.worthco.com/fish/x2rings.html

Oval Ring Gaskets, e.g. http://www.metal-gasket.com/oval-ring-gasket-44.html

@Dave,

Do you think that .Ring is an appropriate description for 'loops' which finish up with parallel legs - i.e. Perfection Loop style? At best, they are teardrop shaped, but certainly not elliptical?

When a Perfection Loop is tied, the resulting "loop" can be manipulated into a rough circle or ellipse, especially if it's placed over an object such as a pole. Therefore, referring to it as a .Ring seems appropriate enough, even if it naturally wants to hang in a teardrop shape.

Also, I've seen metal rings described as "teardrop-shaped rings," so it doesn't seem inappropriate to refer to the Perfection Loop as forming a .Ring. Here are some examples:

"10 beautiful teardrop-shaped copper rings" - http://www.windchime.com/wind-chimes/glass-wind-chimes/copperteardropringwithteardropcrystalschime.cfm

http://www.pastrychef.com/TEAR-DROP-CAKE-RING_p_1292.html

"It has a .610" thick teardrop shape rings on each end." - http://www.quietelectronics.com/Idaho-/Chain-choker-sling-8-1-l-3-8-chain-2-teardrop-rings.aspx

http://partrade.net/Metalab-ss-Brushed-Teardrop-Rings-Combo-Bit--CPath-2_26_54-pid-238110.html

Thoughts?