loof

¹ American  

[loof] / luf /

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. the palm of the hand.

---

loof ² American  

[loof] / luf /

noun

Nautical.

1. the tapering of a hull toward the stern.

2. Now Rare. the broad after part of the bows of a vessel.

3. Now Rare. luff.

---

Etymology

Origin of loof¹

1300–50; Middle English lofe < Old Norse lōfi, cognate with Gothic lōfa

Origin of loof²

Special uses of loof ¹

Example Sentences

Khobeizah, or common mallow, and loof, a flowering perennial plant with bright green leaves, were some of the edible plants found growing wild that her mother cooked.

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2022

She doesna need—she's fever proof— The pest walked o'er her very roof— She tauld me sae—an' then her loof Held out for her annuity.

From The Book of Humorous Verse by Wells, Carolyn

They'll hae me wed a wealthy coof, Tho' I mysel' hae plenty, Tam; But, hear'st thou laddie! there's my loof, I'm thine at ane an' twenty, Tam!

From Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Burns, Robert

We snichert hint oor loof, my man,   But never said him nay; As gien he had been a prophet, man,   We loot him say his say:     Ye're a' wrang, &c.

From The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes — Volume 2 by MacDonald, George

I wonder, Jeanie, aften yet, When sitting on that bink, Cheek touchin' cheek, loof locked in loof, What our wee heads could think.

From The World's Best Poetry, Volume 3 Sorrow and Consolation by Carman, Bliss