Associations to the word «Luff»

Wiktionary

LUFF, noun. (nautical) The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.
LUFF, noun. (nautical) The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
LUFF, noun. (nautical) The roundest part of a ship's bow.
LUFF, noun. (nautical) The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.
LUFF, verb. (nautical) (of a sail) (intransitive) To shake due to being trimmed improperly.
LUFF, verb. (nautical) (of a boat) (intransitive) To alter course to windward so that the sails luff. (Alternatively luff up)
LUFF, verb. (nautical) (transitive) to let out [a sail] so that it luffs.
LUFF, verb. (mechanical) To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.
LUFF TACKLE, noun. (nautical) A purchase composed of a double and single block and fall, used for various purposes.

Dictionary definition

LUFF, noun. (nautical) the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is next to the mast.
LUFF, noun. The act of sailing close to the wind.
LUFF, verb. Sail close to the wind.
LUFF, verb. Flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides; "the sails luffed".

Wise words

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.
Mark Twain