luff
noun
the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail.
was luffing
-
past progressiveof luff.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The trailing edge of the main was luffing a bit and he sheeted it in to clean the line up.
From "The Voyage Of The Frog" by Gary Paulsen
I thought my time had come! but, perceiving that the ship was luffing fast, I motioned eagerly forward, to draw the attention of my assailant in that quarter.
From Afloat and Ashore A Sea Tale by James Fenimore Cooper
In an instant of coherence he saw that the brigantine was luffing; none the less much of the line had already been paid out, and there was no reckoning when the end would be reached.
From The Black Bag by Louis Joseph Vance
The sternmost was luffing up with the intention of reaching the Constitution's quarter.
From Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors: Tales of 1812 by James Barnes
Contrary to Mark's apprehensions, he saw that the ship was luffing up close to the weather ledge, leaving little danger of her going on to it.
From The Crater by James Fenimore Cooper
