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aback Definition

aback (ə bak′)

adverb

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

Etymology: OE on bæc, at or on the back

aback Idioms

taken aback

  1. Naut. in an unmanageable condition, as because of a sudden shift of wind to the opposite side of the sails
  2. startled and confused

Browse dictionary entries near aback

  1. ‹ abaci
  2. ‹ abacá
  3. ‹ aba
  4. ‹ ab-
  5. ‹ ab ovo
  6. ‹ ab intra
  7. ‹ ab initio
  8. ‹ Abélard
  9. ‹ Ab
  10. ‹ AAV
  1. abacus ›
  2. abacuses ›
  3. Abadán ›
  4. Abaddon ›
  5. abaft ›
  6. abalone ›
  7. abandon ›
  8. abandoned ›
  9. abandoned property ›
  10. abandonee ›