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Luffing: meaning, definitions and examples

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luffing

 

[ ˈlʌfɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

sailing maneuver

Luffing refers to the action of bringing a sailing vessel's sails into the wind. This technique reduces the speed of the boat by allowing the sails to flap and become ineffective. It is commonly used when a sailor wants to slow down the boat or change direction without tacking.

Synonyms

change course, flap, reduce speed.

Examples of usage

  • The captain ordered the crew to start luffing to reduce speed.
  • During the race, the sailors were skilled at luffing to gain an advantage.
  • Luffing the sails helped us avoid a collision with another boat.

Translations

Translations of the word "luffing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 luffing

🇮🇳 लफिंग

🇩🇪 Luffen

🇮🇩 luffing

🇺🇦 луфінг

🇵🇱 luffing

🇯🇵 ラフニング

🇫🇷 luffing

🇪🇸 luffing

🇹🇷 luffing

🇰🇷 러핑

🇸🇦 لُفّينج

🇨🇿 luffing

🇸🇰 luffing

🇨🇳 拉风

🇸🇮 luffing

🇮🇸 luffing

🇰🇿 луфинг

🇬🇪 ლუფინგი

🇦🇿 luffing

🇲🇽 luffing

Etymology

The term 'luffing' originates from the nautical world and is derived from the Old English word 'luff', which means 'to turn the sails into the wind.' The practice of luffing has been around since ancient times when sailing was the primary means of transportation and trade. Sailors developed various techniques, including luffing, to navigate and control their vessels effectively in different wind conditions. As sailing technology evolved, so did the terminology associated with it, but the essential concept of luffing remained crucial for sailors in managing their sails and maintaining control of their boats.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,348, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.