abaft

[ uh-baft, uh-bahft ]
/ əˈbæft, əˈbɑft /
Nautical

preposition

to the rear of; aft of: the fife rail abaft the mainmast.

adverb

in the direction of the stern; astern; aft.

Origin of abaft

1225–75; Middle English on baft, abaft, equivalent to a-1 and on on + baft, Old English bæftan contraction of be + æftan. See by1 aft1

Example sentences from the Web for abaft

British Dictionary definitions for abaft

abaft
/ (əˈbɑːft) nautical /

adverb, adjective (postpositive)

closer to the stern than to another place on a vessel with the wind abaft

preposition

behind; aft of abaft the mast

Word Origin for abaft

C13: on baft; baft from Old English beæftan, from be by + æftan behind