LUFF • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Luff

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verb

Luff v. i. (past & past part. luffed; pres. part. 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.

(Naut.) To flutter or shake from being aligned close to the direction of the wind; said of a sail.

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.

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Etymology of 'Luff'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Luff" Quotes from Famous Books

... most spirited and well-directed fire, aided by a furious cannonade, repulsed them with great slaughter. A light breeze now springing up, enabled Captain Thompson to disentangle himself; and, soon after, he had the satisfaction to luff under Le Genereux's stern, and discharge every gun into that ship, at the distance of only ten yards. The action continued, within pistol-shot, till half past three in the afternoon; when Le Genereux, with a light breeze, passed the Leander's bows, ...

— The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Vol. I (of 2) • James Harrison

Words linked to "Luff" : seafaring, sailing, roll, flap, fore-and-aft sail, navigation