luff
noun
the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail.
luffs
-
present tense formof luff (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Aye, you young luffs, Griffin, are never backward with your vows for or to pretty girls," answered Cuffe.
From The Wing-and-Wing Le Feu-Follet by James Fenimore Cooper
The next time they came out, we would notice their sticks cut down, their booms shortened, and their after-leeches nearer the luffs by whole cloths.
From A Collection of Stories by Jack London
"Up with those sails!" cried the girl now, and Caliban's gang sweated at the halyards, while slackened sheets permitted the booms to swing and present the luffs to the screaming gale, bearing no resistance.
From The Pirate Woman by Aylward Edward Dingle
A winch used in rope-making.—Loof-tackle hooks, termed luffs.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Sir Edward Belcher
He climbs, he darts, he jibes, he luffs; Like a great bee he drones aloud; He whirls above the shrapnel puffs, And, laughing, ducks behind a cloud.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, January 26, 1916 by Sir Owen Seaman
