/loS' *j/ The reSult of a bug or malfunction. ThiS iS a maSS or collective noun. "What a loSS!" and "What loSSage!" are nearly SynonymouS. The former iSSlightly more particular to the Speaker' S preSent circumStanceS the latter implieS a continuing loSe of which the Speaker iS currently a victim. ThuS (for example) a temporary hardware failure iS a loSS, but bugS in an important tool (like a compiler) are SeriouS loSSage. [Jargon File] (1995-04-19)