/lee"way'/ , n.
1. extra time, space, materials, or the like, within which to operate; margin: With ten minutes' leeway we can catch the train.
2. a degree of freedom of action or thought: His instructions gave us plenty of leeway.
3. Also called sag . Naut. the amount or angle of the drift of a ship to leeward from its heading.
4. Aeron. the amount a plane is blown off its normal course by cross winds.
[ 1660-70; LEE 1 + WAY ]
Syn. 2. latitude, flexibility, cushion.