LUFFING Meaning and
Definition
-
Luffing is a nautical term that refers to the change in the angle of a sail or the position of a ship's bow with respect to the wind. The word is commonly used in sailing and sailing-related activities and holds significant importance in maneuvering a sailboat effectively.
When a sailboat is said to be luffing, it means that the wind is coming from the direction in which the sail is positioned, causing the sail to flutter or flap due to insufficient tension. This occurs when the angle of the sail is too close to or directly facing into the wind. Luffing can have adverse effects on the boat's speed and maneuverability, as the sail loses its efficiency in harnessing the wind's power.
To counteract luffing, sailors adjust the angle of the sail by turning the boat's bow away from the wind. This maneuver is known as luffing up or bearing off. By changing the sail angle, the wind flow is redirected, creating lift, and propelling the boat forward more effectively. However, it is important not to bear off too much, as excessive luffing can cause the sail to lose all wind pressure and result in a stalled or slow-moving boat.
Overall, luffing is a term used to describe the inefficient position of a sail when it is too close to the wind, causing it to flutter or flap. Correcting the angle of the sail and minimizing luffing is crucial in maintaining speed, control, and optimizing the performance of a sailboat.
-
The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for LUFFING
Etymology of LUFFING
The word "luffing" has its origin in maritime terminology. It comes from Middle English "lofe" or "luffe", which referred to the windward side of a ship. The specific etymology of the word is uncertain, but it may have derived from Old English "loef" or "lof", meaning "weather" or "windward". Over time, the term "luffing" began to be used to describe the action of changing the angle of a ship's sails to allow it to sail closer to the wind. In sailing, "luffing" refers to when a boat's sails are not properly trimmed, causing them to lose power and flap in the wind, which is known as "luffing" the sails.
Similar spelling words for LUFFING
Conjugate verb Luffing
CONDITIONAL
I
would luff
we
would luff
you
would luff
he/she/it
would luff
they
would luff
FUTURE
I
will luff
we
will luff
you
will luff
he/she/it
will luff
they
will luff
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have luffed
we
will have luffed
you
will have luffed
he/she/it
will have luffed
they
will have luffed
PAST
I
luffed
we
luffed
you
luffed
he/she/it
luffed
they
luffed
PAST PERFECT
I
had luffed
we
had luffed
you
had luffed
he/she/it
had luffed
they
had luffed
PRESENT
I
luff
we
luff
you
luff
he/she/it
luffs
they
luff
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have luffed
we
have luffed
you
have luffed
he/she/it
has luffed
they
have luffed
I
am luffing
we
are luffing
you
are luffing
he/she/it
is luffing
they
are luffing
I
was luffing
we
were luffing
you
were luffing
he/she/it
was luffing
they
were luffing
I
will be luffing
we
will be luffing
you
will be luffing
he/she/it
will be luffing
they
will be luffing
I
have been luffing
we
have been luffing
you
have been luffing
he/she/it
has been luffing
they
have been luffing
I
had been luffing
we
had been luffing
you
had been luffing
he/she/it
had been luffing
they
had been luffing
I
will have been luffing
we
will have been luffing
you
will have been luffing
he/she/it
will have been luffing
they
will have been luffing
I
would have luffed
we
would have luffed
you
would have luffed
he/she/it
would have luffed
they
would have luffed
I
would be luffing
we
would be luffing
you
would be luffing
he/she/it
would be luffing
they
would be luffing
I
would have been luffing
we
would have been luffing
you
would have been luffing
he/she/it
would have been luffing
they
would have been luffing
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
