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Luff   /ləf/   Listen
Luff

noun
1.
(nautical) the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is next to the mast.
2.
The act of sailing close to the wind.






WordNet 3.0 © 2010 Princeton University








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"Luff" Quotes from Famous Books



... possess that peculiar and common form of vanity which makes a man sensitive about doing badly what he has never learned to do at all. He laughed when Ruggiero advised him to luff a little, and he did as he was told. But Ruggiero came aft and perched himself on the stern in order to be at hand in case his master committed another ...
— The Children of the King • F. Marion Crawford

... the yards," shouted Crow foot; "that's it steady—luff, my man;" and the danger was so imminent that even the studding—sail haulyards were not let go and the consequence was, that the booms snapped off like carrots, as we ...
— Tom Cringle's Log • Michael Scott

... equal terms; but before we had exchanged these broadsides, both ships running with the wind on the quarter, we found that our superiority in sailing free was so great, that we shot ahead of him out of his fire, and we were enabled to luff ...
— Percival Keene • Frederick Marryat

... and the end was that the men of the island seeing no help was toward, as the ungrate women were all of one mind, made a wherry raft, loaded themselves and their bundles of chattels on shipboard, set all masts erect, manned the yards, sprang their luff, heaved to, spread three sheets in the wind, put her head between wind and water, weighed anchor, ported her helm, ran up the jolly Roger, gave three times three, let the bullgine run, pushed off in their bumboat and put to sea to recover the main of America. Which ...
— Ulysses • James Joyce

... Jack Kett!" exclaimed Captain Trent. "And Bill Lowden and his crowd. Well, you fellows would take anything, whether it was yours or not. Now jest hold on a bit. Luff up and let's see where we're at. Maybe you're on the wrong course and need new clearance papers. Avast there, and let me ...
— Frank and Andy Afloat - The Cave on the Island • Vance Barnum

... he doesn't it won't be because of not deserving to. Those were real nice cutlets yesterday, Mr Price, and you had better send us a sirloin for tomorrow, about six pounds; but it doesn't matter to an ounce. And you can save us sweetbreads for Sunday; I like yours better than Luff's." ...
— The Imperialist • (a.k.a. Mrs. Everard Cotes) Sara Jeannette Duncan

... she's gone a mile. Not without they rip the masts out of her. That officer ought to have known that trick. That will be a lesson to you, Mr Jim. If ever you're in a little ship, and you get chased by a big ship, you keep on till she's right on top of you, and then luff hard all you know, and the chances are you'll get a mile start before they come round ...
— Jim Davis • John Masefield



Words linked to "Luff" :   piloting, navigation, wave, seafaring, roll, undulate, fore-and-aft sail, edge, pilotage, flap, sailing, sail



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