51³Ô¹Ï

Advertisement

luff

[ luhf ]

noun

Nautical.
  1. the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail.


verb (used without object)

  1. to bring the head of a sailing ship closer to or directly into the wind, with sails shaking.
  2. (of a sail) to shake from being set too close to the wind:

    The sail luffed as we put about for port.

  3. to raise or lower the outer end of the boom of a crane or derrick so as to move its load horizontally.

verb (used with object)

  1. to set (the helm of a ship) in such a way as to bring the head of the ship into the wind.
  2. to raise or lower the outer end of (the boom of a crane or derrick).

luff

/ ±ôÊŒ´Ú /

noun

  1. nautical the leading edge of a fore-and-aft sail
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. tackle consisting of a single and a double block for use with rope having a large diameter
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. nautical to head (a sailing vessel) into the wind so that her sails flap
  2. intr nautical (of a sail) to flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides
  3. to move the jib of (a crane) or raise or lower the boom of (a derrick) in order to shift a load
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other 51³Ô¹Ï Forms

  • ³Ü²Ô·±ô³Ü´Ú´Ú±ð»å adjective
Discover More

51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of luff1

1175–1225; Middle English lof, loof steering gear (compare Old French lof ) < Middle Dutch (unrecorded), later Dutch loef tholepin (of tiller)
Discover More

51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of luff1

C13 (in the sense: steering gear): from Old French lof, perhaps from Middle Dutch loef peg of a tiller; compare Old High German laffa palm of hand, oar blade, Russian lapa paw
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The canvas luffed a bit, then pulled tight.

From

Under Mr. Horvath’s direction, Ms. Dowd raised the luffing sail, using a winch to pull the line tight and then secure it.

From

Waves luffed and spat in my face or carried me up on swells like the exhalations of a great and gentle giant.

From

Spithill, typically combative, tried to luff Team New Zealand at the start of the first beat but the Kiwis crossed his bow and the move cost the Italian boat the lead which New Zealand retained.

From

“Love is too weak a word for what I feel — I luuurve you, you know, I loave you, I luff you, two F’s, yes.â€

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement