aback

[ uh-bak ]
/ əˈbæk /

adverb

toward the back.
Nautical. so that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails.

adjective Nautical.

(of a sail) positioned so that the wind presses against the forward side.
(of a yard) positioned so that its sail is laid aback.

Idioms for aback

    taken aback, surprised and disconcerted: I was taken aback by his harsh criticism.

Origin of aback

before 1000; Middle English abak, Old English on bæc to the rear. See a-1 on, back1

Words nearby aback

Example sentences from the Web for aback

British Dictionary definitions for aback

aback
/ (əˈbæk) /

adverb

taken aback
  1. startled or disconcerted
  2. nautical (of a vessel or sail) having the wind against the forward side so as to prevent forward motion
rare towards the back; backwards

Word Origin for aback

Old English on bæc to the back

Idioms and Phrases with aback

aback

see take aback.