I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: take off
1. : something that detracts : drawback
2. : an imitation especially in the way of caricature : the action or an instance of mimicking : burlesque , parody
one of his takeoffs is on a young Southern novelist — Hollis Alpert
a takeoff on the conventional college song — Stewart Alsop
musical comedy takeoff on the Westerns — Arthur Knight
competition started as a takeoff on the traditional races — Buick Magazine
3.
a. : a rise or leap especially from the ground in making a jump or flight : a start in leaping or hurdling, in making an ascent in an aircraft, or in the launching of a rocket
takeoff was done without any of your springboards — Edward Bass
other birds need a long takeoff run — Time
had been test-fired twice … and that in each case it had blown up, or been detonated, soon after takeoff — John Brooks
specifically : an action of beginning flight in which an aircraft is accelerated from rest to the condition of normal flight
takeoff had been normal
takeoff distance
it was the takeoff and the landing which he loved best — Louis Bromfield
takeoff time
b. : an action of starting out or setting out
everybody made a scram takeoff for a foxhole — Ira Wolfert
takeoff hour for the armored cars — Joseph Alsop
severity with which you drive your car (sudden stops, quick takeoffs, fast cornering) — Walt Woron
book … has a long, slow takeoff , although the materials are interesting — Edmund Fuller
statesmen are elderly and slow on the takeoff — Upton Sinclair
4.
a. : a spot at which one takes off or may take off
cars are arriving at the takeoff — Bert Pierce
can be climbed onto and used as a takeoff for a higher leap — A.L.Kroeber
specifically : the spot or an object (as a rubber or board) from which a jumper, vaulter, or hurdler rises in leaping
sketch of their pit showing two high jump takeoffs — Athletic Journal
takeoff board
b. : a starting point : point of departure : base of operations
the takeoff point of the real revolution of industrialization — H.R.Lieberman
study of filter cigarettes published nearly seven months ago … became the takeoff for a new campaign this week — Advertising Age
5. : an action of removing something
package is positioned horizontally to allow a better takeoff — S.B.Bradley
chemical and physical treatments of rayon, from the takeoff at the spinning machine to the final product — F.C.Hahn
specifically : the skinning process in leather manufacturing
6. : the action of estimating or measuring an amount of material needed (as in building) : quantity survey
plumbing takeoff
takeoff man
7. : a device, mechanism, or part by means of which something is led or drawn off (as to another place, for another purpose)
takeoffs to houses are loops that return to the mains — W.R.Moore
specifically : a mechanism for transmission through which the power of an engine or vehicle may be taken off to operate some other mechanism
two power takeoffs at the front of the motor — Bernard Gladstone
rear takeoff can provide either a belt drive … or a shaft drive — Country Life
takeoff power from his tractor — Ethyl News
II. noun
: a rapid rise in activity, growth, or popularity
made an economic takeoff possible