luff tackle

noun

, Nautical.

1. a tackle having a double block and a single block, giving a mechanical advantage of three or four, neglecting friction, depending on which is the standing and which is the running block.

Word History and Origins

Origin of luff tackle¹

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

That was sufficient to indicate the kind of a picnic we were in for, and no time was lost in rigging a big fourfold or "luff"-tackle, which was stretched right along the deck from a stout ringbolt near the mainmast, and the forrard end hooked on to the chain.

From Project Gutenberg

The ship being now over her anchor, and the topsails set, the capstan bars were shipped again, the men all heaved with a will, the messenger grinned, the anchor was torn out of China with a mighty heave, and then run up with a luff tackle and secured; the ship's head cast to port: "Up with a jib! man the topsail halyards! all hands make sail!"

From Project Gutenberg

The ship being now over her anchor, and the top-sails set, the capstan bars were shipped again, the men all heaved with a will, the messenger grinned, the anchor was torn out of China with a mighty heave, and then ran up with a luff tackle and secured; the ship's head cast to port.

From Project Gutenberg