Definitions of luff [ʌf]

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Definition of 'luff'

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

1. (n) luff
the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail.

2. (v.i.) luff
to bring the head of a sailing ship closer to or directly into the wind, with sails shaking.

3.  luff
(of a sail) to shake from being set too close to the wind.

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

5. (v.t.) luff
to set (the helm of a ship) in such a way as to bring the head of the ship into the wind.

6.  luff
to raise or lower the outer end of (the boom of a crane or derrick).

Etymology: (1175–1225; ME lof, loof steering gear < MD, later D loef tholepin (of tiller))

Definition of 'luff'

Princeton's WordNet

1. (noun) luff
(nautical) the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is next to the mast

2. (verb) luff
the act of sailing close to the wind

3. (verb) luff, point
sail close to the wind

4. (verb) luff
flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides
"the sails luffed"

Definition of 'luff'

Webster Dictionary

1. (noun) luff
the side of a ship toward the wind

2. (noun) luff
the act of sailing a ship close to the wind

3. (noun) luff
the roundest part of a ship's bow

4. (noun) luff
the forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails

5. (verb) luff
to turn the head of a vessel toward the wind; to sail nearer the wind; to turn the tiller so as to make the vessel sail nearer the wind

'luff' - Nearby Entries
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