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luff
[ luhf ]
/ lʌf /
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noun Nautical.
the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail.
verb (used without object)
to bring the head of a sailing ship closer to or directly into the wind, with sails shaking.
(of a sail) to shake from being set too close to the wind: The sail luffed as we put about for port.
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)
to set (the helm of a ship) in such a way as to bring the head of the ship into the wind.
to raise or lower the outer end of (the boom of a crane or derrick).
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Origin of luff
1175–1225; Middle English lof, loof steering gear (compare Old French lof) <Middle Dutch (unrecorded), later Dutch loef tholepin (of tiller)
OTHER WORDS FROM luff
un·luffed, adjectiveWords nearby luff
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use luff in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for luff
luff
/ (lʌf) /
noun
nautical the leading edge of a fore-and-aft sail
noun
tackle consisting of a single and a double block for use with rope having a large diameter
verb
nautical to head (a sailing vessel) into the wind so that her sails flap
(intr) nautical (of a sail) to flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides
to move the jib of (a crane) or raise or lower the boom of (a derrick) in order to shift a load
Word Origin for luff
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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