Luff

Quick meaning: Luff is a noun meaning (nautical) The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.

Meaning

(nautical) The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.

More Meanings

1. (nautical) The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
2. (nautical) The roundest part of a ship's bow.
3. (nautical) The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.
4. (nautical, of a sail, intransitive) To shake due to being trimmed improperly.
5. (nautical, of sailing vessels, intransitive) To bring the ship's head up closer to the wind. (Alternatively luff up)
6. (nautical, transitive) to let out (a sail) so that it luffs.
7. (mechanical) To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.

Example Sentences

"Helm there! Luff, luff a point! So; steady, man, steady!"

By easing the halyard, the luff of the sail was made to sag to leeward.

"The man at the helm was watching the luff of the sail and whistling away gently to himself."

The tower is mounted on a slewing platform, which also carries the power plant and the counterweights, while the jib is supported and luffed by fixed pendant ropes.

Word Forms

• luffs
• luffing
• luffed

Synonyms for luff

Depending on context, synonyms include point.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include point, tackle, tack, loof, cunningham, head.

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