tack

The definition of a tack is a sharp pointed nail with a flat head.

(noun)

An example of tack is what is used to hang things on a bulletin board.

Tack is defined as to fasten or secure something.

(verb)

An example of to tack is to hang a picture on the wall.

See tack in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a short nail or pin, with a narrow shaft that is not tapered and a relatively large, flat head
1. the act of fastening, esp. in a slight or temporary way
2. Sewing a stitch for marking darts, etc. from a pattern, clipped and later removed
  in full tailor's tack
3. stickiness; adhesiveness
a zigzag course, or movement in such a course
a course of action or policy, esp. one differing from another or a preceding course
Origin: < ?
food; foodstuff: hardtack
Naut.
1. a rope for securing the forward lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail
2. this corner
3. the direction in which a vessel is moving in relation to the position of the sails
4. a change of direction in which the sail or sails shift from one side of the vessel to the other
5. a course against the wind
6. any of a series of zigzag movements in such a course
equipment for riding a horse, as saddles, bridles, etc.; saddlery

Origin: ME takke < MDu tacke, twig, point, akin to Ger zacke < ? IE base *dek-, to tear > tail

transitive verb

to fasten or attach with tacks
to attach temporarily, as by sewing with long stitches
to attach as a supplement; add: to tack an amendment onto a bill
Horsemanship to put a saddle, bridle, etc. on (a horse): often with up
Naut.
1. to change the course of (a vessel) by turning its bow into and across the wind
2. to maneuver (a vessel) against the wind by a series of tacks

intransitive verb

Naut.
1. to tack a sailing vessel
2. to change its course by being tacked, or sail against the wind by a series of tacks: said of a sailing vessel
to go in a zigzag course
to change suddenly one's policy or course of action

Related Forms:

See tack in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A short, light nail with a sharp point and a flat head.
Nautical
a. A rope for holding down the weather clew of a course.
b. A rope for hauling the outer lower corner of a studdingsail to the boom.
c. The part of a sail, such as the weather clew of a course, to which this rope is fastened.
d. The lower forward corner of a fore-and-aft sail.
Nautical
a. The position of a vessel relative to the trim of its sails.
b. The act of changing from one position or direction to another.
c. The distance or leg sailed between changes of position or direction.
a. A course of action meant to minimize opposition to the attainment of a goal.
b. An approach, especially one of a series of changing approaches.
A large, loose stitch made as a temporary binding or as a marker.
Stickiness, as that of a newly painted surface.

verb tacked, tack·ing, tacks

verb, transitive

To fasten or attach with or as if with a tack: tacked the carpet down.
To fasten or mark (cloth or a seam, for example) with a loose basting stitch.
To put together loosely and arbitrarily: tacked some stories together in an attempt to write a novel.
To add as an extra item; append: tacked two dollars onto the bill.
Nautical To bring (a vessel) into the wind in order to change course or direction.

verb, intransitive

Nautical
a. To change the direction or course of a vessel: Stand by to tack.
b. To change tack: The ship tacked to starboard.
To change one's course of action.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English tak, fastener

Origin: , from Old North French taque

Origin: , probably of Germanic origin

Related Forms: