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Aback

//əˈbæk// adv, noun

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    Towards the back or rear; backwards. Geordie, archaic, not-comparable

    "The mild, though licentious reign, of Louis the Sixteenth, threw France far aback, in her ambitious career; but it gave birth to that revolution, wherein, her warlike propensities and territorial resources were unfolded with tenfold efficacy."

  2. 2
    In the rear; a distance behind. archaic, not-comparable

    "There are so many canes upon Reliance that the labourers could not cut those aback, as they prefer cutting those in front. The cane fields aback were in cultivation last year."

  3. 3
    By surprise; startled; dumbfounded. (see usage) not-comparable

    "I would rather board a hundred of the enemy's frigates, than steer my boat into a fleet of modest women, for a modest woman never fails to take me aback."

  4. 4
    Backward against the mast; said of the sails when pressed by the wind from the "wrong" (forward) side, or of a ship when its sails are set that way. not-comparable

    "Q. Was not the Trident at that time aback with one or more Top-sails? A. To the best of my Knowledge she had both Top-sails aback."

Adverb
  1. 1
    by surprise wordnet
  2. 2
    having the wind against the forward side of the sails wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    An inscribed stone square. Early, Modern, obsolete

    "In the Centre, or midst of the Pegm, there was an Aback, or Square, wherein this Elogy was written."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English abak, from Old English onbæc, equivalent to a- (“towards”) + back. Compare West Frisian tebek (“aback”, adverb, literally “to/at back”), Swedish tillbaka (idem.).

Etymology 2

From Latin abacus.

See also for "aback"

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