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Luff vs Cuff - What's the difference?

luff | cuff |

As nouns the difference between luff and cuff

is that luff is the vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind while cuff is glove; mitten.

As verbs the difference between luff and cuff

is that luff is to shake due to being trimmed improperly while cuff is to furnish with cuffs.

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

    cuff

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) cuffe, .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) glove; mitten.
  • The end of a shirt sleeve that covers the wrist.
  • The end of a pants leg, folded up.
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To furnish with cuffs.
  • To handcuff.
  • Etymology 2

    1520, “to hit”, apparently of (etyl) origin, from (etyl) . More at (l), (l), (l).

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To hit, as a reproach, particularly with the open palm to the head; to slap.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again.
  • * Dryden
  • They with their quills did all the hurt they could, / And cuffed the tender chickens from their food.
  • To fight; to scuffle; to box.
  • * Dryden
  • While the peers cuff to make the rabble sport.
  • To buffet.
  • * Tennyson
  • cuffed by the gale

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A blow, especially with the open hand; a box; a slap.
  • * Spenser
  • Snatcheth his sword, and fiercely to him flies; / Who well it wards, and quitten cuff with cuff.
  • * Hudibras
  • Many a bitter kick and cuff .