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aback

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(ə bak′)

adverb

Archaic backward; back
Naut. backward against the mast, as the sails of a square-rigged vessel in a wind from straight ahead

Origin: OE on bæc, at or on the back

See aback in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adverb

By surprise: He was taken aback by her caustic remarks.
Nautical In such a way that the wind pushes against the forward side of a sail or sails.
Archaic Back; backward.

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