Loops are segments of yarn bent into an upside-down "n" shape. The process of knitting is the process of creating and manipulating loops. Knitting machines hold and manipulate loops with needles; needles which are currently held on needles are called active loops.
Machine knitting operations can be described in terms of their action on loops:
tuck
adds a loop to a needle;
knit
pulls a loop through the existing loop(s) on a needle, dropping these loops in the process;
split
pulls a loop through the exsting loop(s) on a needle, moving these loops to another needle in the process;
amiss
does tugs on the loops on a needle;
drop
drops the loops on a needle;
and xfer
moves the loops on a needle to another needle.