Definitions for: Luff

[n] sailing close to the wind
[v] flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides; of sails
[v] sail close to the wind

Webster (1913) Definition: Luff, n. [OE. lof, prob. a sort of timber by which the
course of a ship was directed, perh. a sort of paddle; cf. D.
loef luff, loeven to luff. The word is perh. akin to E.
glove. Cf. Aloof.] (Naut.)
(a) The side of a ship toward the wind.
(b) The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
(c) The roundest part of a ship's bow.
(d) The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the
jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.

Luff tackle, a purchase composed of a double and single
block and fall, used for various purposes. --Totten.

Luff upon luff, a luff tackle attached to the fall of
another luff tackle. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

Luff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Luffed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Luffing.] (Naut.)
To turn the head of a vessel toward the wind; to sail nearer
the wind; to turn the tiller so as to make the vessel sail
nearer the wind.

To luff round, or To luff alee, to make the extreme of
this movement, for the purpose of throwing the ship's head
into the wind.

Synonyms: point

See Also: flap, sail, sailing, undulate, wave

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat

Related Resources:
animals beginning with i
e letter animals