takeoff

noun

1. 1

   A launch or ascent into the air or into flight, such as of an aircraft, rocket, bird, high-jumper etc.

   The flight was smooth, but the takeoff was a little rough.

   That high-jumper's takeoff needs some work.

   The mute swan, being one of the world's heaviest flying birds, can have a laborious takeoff.

2. 2

   A parody or lampoon of someone or something.

   Weird Al's song "Lasagna" is a takeoff on the popular song "La Bamba".

   I came across a little pamphlet of the period, yellow and almost undecipherable, which, on examination, I found to be a rather amusing skit or satirical take-off on the profit system.

   I had originally titled it, On Claiming An Identity They Taught Me To Despise. I said that having been a Renaissance historian, I was doing a take-off of the Latin tracts—"On This," "On That," "On the Beauty of Women."

3. 3

   A quantification, especially of building materials.

   I'll give you an estimate after I do the quantity takeoffs for the trusses and structural steel.

4. 4

   historicalThe removal of sheets from the press.

5. 5

   The spot from which one takes off; specifically, the place from which a jumper rises in leaping.

   Encyclopaedia of Sport The take-off should be selected with great care, and a pit of large dimensions provided on the landing side.

6. 6

   The initial movement a surfer makes to start riding a wave.

   Steamer Lane, home of the world's latest takeoff.

Forms

plural

takeoffs