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.
Words nearby aback
Example sentences from the Web for aback
British Dictionary definitions for aback
aback
/ (əˈbæk) /
adverb
taken aback
- startled or disconcerted
- 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.