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Luff vs Bluff - What's the difference?

luff | bluff |

As a noun luff

is (nautical) the vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.

As a verb luff

is (nautical|of a sail|intransitive) to shake due to being trimmed improperly.

As a proper noun bluff is

the southernmost town in the south island of new zealand, and seaport for the southland region.

luff

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (nautical) The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.
    • By easing the halyard, the luff of the sail was made to sag to leeward.
  • (nautical) The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
  • (nautical) The roundest part of a ship's bow.
  • (nautical) The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • (nautical, of a sail, intransitive) To shake due to being trimmed improperly.
  • (nautical, of a boat, intransitive) To alter course to windward so that the sails luff. (Alternatively luff up )
  • (nautical) to let out [a sail] so that it luffs.
  • (mechanical) To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year=1999 , author=Howard I. Shapiro, Jay P. Shapiro, Lawrence K. Shapiro , title=Cranes and Derricks , page=95 , isbn=0070578893 citation , passage=The tower is mounted on a slewing platform, which also carries the power plant and the counterweights, while the jib is supported and luffed by fixed pendant ropes.}}

    Derived terms

    * luff alee * luffing crane * luff round * luff tackle * luff upon luff

    References

    bluff

    English

    (wikipedia bluff)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio.
    • That is only bluff''', or a '''bluff .
  • (poker) An attempt to represent oneself as holding a stronger hand than they actually do.
    • John's bet was a bluff : he bet without even so much as a pair.
  • (US, dated) The card game poker.
    • (Bartlett)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • ((poker) To make a bluff ; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is.
    • John bluffed by betting without even a pair.
  • (by analogy ) To frighten or deter with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate and gain some advantage.
    • The government claims it will call an election if this bill does not pass. Is it truly ready to do so, or is it bluffing ?

    Derived terms

    * bluffer * double bluff * triple bluff * quadruple bluff * semi-bluff

    Etymology 2

    Related to blaff, "smooth".

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
  • (senseid) (Canadian Prairies) A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow.

    • Adjective

    (er)
  • Having a broad, flattened front.
    • the bluff bows of a ship
  • Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.
  • * Falconer
    • a bluff or bold shore
  • * Judd
    • Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and precipitous aspect.
  • Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
  • * 1883:
    • he had a bluff , rough-and-ready face, all roughened and reddened and lined in his long travels.
  • Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque.
    • a bluff''' answer; a '''bluff''' manner of talking; a '''bluff sea captain
  • * I. Taylor
    • There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a proper defence in a moment of surprise.

    References

    *

    External links

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