Dictionary

luff

see also: Luff

Pronunciation

Noun

luff (plural luffs)

(nautical) The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.
By easing the halyard, the luff of the sail was made to sag to leeward.
(nautical) The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
(nautical) The roundest part of a ship's bow.
(nautical) The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.

Translations

Verb

luff (luffs, present participle luffing; past and past participle luffed)

(nautical, of a sail, intransitive) To shake due to being trimmed improperly.
(nautical, of a boat, intransitive) To alter course to windward so that the sails luff. (Alternatively luff up)
(nautical, transitive) to let out (a sail) so that it luffs.
(mechanical) To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.

Luff

Proper noun

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