New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
Luff — (l[u^]f), 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.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Luff — or luffing may refer to:* Luffing, when a sailing sheet is eased so far past trim that airflow over the surface is disrupted * The leading edge of a sail * Luffing crane, a type of crane where the jib, rather than being fixed, can be raised and… … Wikipedia
Luff — (l[u^]f), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Luffed} (l[u^]ft); p. pr. & vb. n. {Luffing}.] 1. (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. [1913 Webster] 2.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
luff — (n.) c.1200, in sailing, from O.Fr. lof spar, or some other nautical device, point of sail, also windward side, probably from Germanic (Cf. M.Du. lof windward side of a ship (Du. loef), which might also be the direct source of the English word),… … Etymology dictionary
luff — ► NOUN Sailing ▪ the edge of a fore and aft sail next to the mast or stay. ► VERB 1) steer (a yacht) nearer the wind. 2) raise or lower (the jib of a crane). ORIGIN Old French lof … English terms dictionary
luff — [luf] n. [ME lof < ODu loef, weather side (of a ship), auxiliary oar for steering, akin to ON lōfi, palm of the hand < IE base * lēp , *lōp , flat object, flat hand > OHG lappo, flat hand, rudder blade, Russ lopata, a shovel, rudder… … English World dictionary
LUFF — Lausanne Underground Film and Music Festival Le Lausanne Underground Film and Music Festival, ou LUFF, est un festival de cinéma et de musique underground qui se tient chaque année à Lausanne, en Suisse. À l origine du LUFF a été créée l… … Wikipédia en Français
luff — 1. noun The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind. By easing the halyard the luff of the sail sagged to leeward. 2. verb … Wiktionary
luff — Loof Loof (l[=oo]f or l[u^]f; 277), n. [See {Luff}.] [Also written {luff}.] (Naut.) (a) Formerly, some appurtenance of a vessel which was used in changing her course; probably a large paddle put over the lee bow to help bring her head nearer to… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Luff — This is an English surname. Recorded as Love, Luff, and Louve, it has at least two possible origins. The first is as a derivative of the Olde English pre 7th century personal name Lufa which is recorded in the Feudal Documents of the Abbey of… … Surnames reference
luff — /lʌf/ (say luf) Nautical –noun 1. the forward edge of a fore and aft sail. –verb (i) 2. Also, luff up. to bring the head of a sailing vessel closer to or directly into the wind, with sails shaking. 3. to alter the angle of the jib of a crane, and …
