aback

[ uh-bak ]
/ əˈbæk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR aback ON THESAURUS.COM

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

aba, abac, abaca, abaciscus, abacist, aback, abaco, abacterial, abactinal, abaculus, abacus

Words related to taken aback

bewildered, confused, shocked, speechless, startled, surprised, overwhelmed, floored, astonished, dismayed, amazed, perplexed, stunned, puzzled, befuddled, dazed, baffled, rattled, awed, mystified

British Dictionary definitions for taken 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 taken aback (1 of 2)

taken aback

see take aback.

Idioms and Phrases with taken aback (2 of 2)

aback

see take aback.