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What does luff mean?

Definitions for luff
lʌfluff

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word luff.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. luffnoun

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

  2. luffverb

    the act of sailing close to the wind

  3. luff, pointverb

    sail close to the wind

  4. luffverb

    flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides

    "the sails luffed"

GCIDE

  1. Luffverb

    (Naut.) To flutter or shake from being aligned close to the direction of the wind; -- said of a sail.

Wiktionary

  1. luffnoun

    The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.

    By easing the halyard the luff of the sail sagged to leeward.

  2. luffverb

    To shake due to being trimmed improperly.

  3. luffverb

    To alter course to windward so that the sails luff. (Alternatively luff up)

  4. luffverb

    to let out [a sail] so that it luffs.

  5. luffverb

    To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Luffnoun

    in Scotland. The palm of the hand; as, clap me arles in my luff.

  2. To Luffverb

    To keep close to the wind. Sea term.

    Etymology: or loof.

    Contract your swelling sails, and luff to wind. Dryden.

ChatGPT

  1. luff

    In sailing terms, luff refers to the forward edge of a sail. It can also refer to the action of sailing closer to the direction of wind until the sail starts to flap or 'luff'.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Luffnoun

    the side of a ship toward the wind

  2. Luffnoun

    the act of sailing a ship close to the wind

  3. Luffnoun

    the roundest part of a ship's bow

  4. Luffnoun

    the forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails

  5. Luffverb

    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

  6. Etymology: [OE. lof, prob. a sort of timber by which the course of a ship was directed, perh. a sort of paddle; cf. D. loef luff, loeven to luff. The word is perh. akin to E. glove. Cf. Aloof.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Luff

    luf, n. the windward side of a ship: the act of sailing a ship close to the wind: the loof.—v.t. to turn a ship towards the wind. [M. E. lof, a paddle; cf. Scot. loof, Dut. loef.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms

  1. luff

    The order to the helmsman, so as to bring the ship's head up more to windward. Sometimes called springing a luff. Also, the air or wind. Also, an old familiar term for lieutenant. Also, the fullest or roundest part of a ship's bows. Also, the weather-leech of a sail.

Surnames Frequency by Census Records

  1. LUFF

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Luff is ranked #18378 in terms of the most common surnames in America.

    The Luff surname appeared 1,507 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 would have the surname Luff.

    93% or 1,402 total occurrences were White.
    2.6% or 40 total occurrences were Black.
    1.8% or 28 total occurrences were of two or more races.
    1.8% or 28 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.

Matched Categories

How to pronounce luff?

How to say luff in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of luff in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of luff in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Popularity rank by frequency of use

luff#10000#69871#100000

References

Translations for luff

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"luff." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/luff>.

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