Luffed: meaning, definitions and examples

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luffed

 

[ lʌft ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

sailing terminology

To luff means to turn the bow of a sailing vessel into the wind. This action reduces the boat's speed and can cause the sails to flap, as they lose the wind's push. It's often used to adjust the course of the vessel when navigating. Luffing is an essential skill for sailors to master, as it helps them to maintain control and optimize speed in varying wind conditions.

Synonyms

turn, veer

Examples of usage

  • The captain luffed the boat to adjust its course.
  • When the wind changed, they had to luff to avoid capsizing.
  • He luffed the sails to catch a better angle of the wind.

Translations

Translations of the word "luffed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desdenhado

🇮🇳 नफरत की

🇩🇪 verachtet

🇮🇩 dihina

🇺🇦 зневажений

🇵🇱 lekceważony

🇯🇵 軽蔑された

🇫🇷 méprisé

🇪🇸 despreciado

🇹🇷 hor görülmek

🇰🇷 경시된

🇸🇦 مُحتَقَر

🇨🇿 pohrdaný

🇸🇰 pohrdaný

🇨🇳 被轻视

🇸🇮 zaničevan

🇮🇸 fyrirlitið

🇰🇿 көнбеуші

🇬🇪 გადაყრილი

🇦🇿 kiçik görülən

🇲🇽 despreciado

Word origin

The term 'luff' has its origins in the early nautical language, arising from Middle English and refers to the act of sailing into the wind. The literal roots can be traced back to Old Norse words associated with sailing. Over centuries, the term became widely used among sailors and evolved to specify the maneuver of directing a vessel's bow towards the wind. As sailing techniques advanced, so did the vocabulary of the sailors, with 'luff' becoming part of the standard sailing lexicon. This word reflects not only the technical aspects of sailing but also the cultural practices of maritime navigators.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,332, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.