Definition of Aback

1. Adverb. Having the wind against the forward side of the sails. "The ship came up into the wind with all yards aback"

2. Adverb. By surprise. "Taken aback by the caustic remarks"

Definition of Aback

1. adv. Toward the back or rear; backward.

2. n. An abacus.

Definition of Aback

1. Adverb. (archaic) Towards the back or rear; backwards; behind. ¹

2. Adverb. By surprise; startled; dumbfounded. ¹

3. Adverb. (nautical) Backward against the mast; said of the sails when pressed by the wind from the "wrong" (forward) side. ¹

4. Noun. (obsolete) An abacus. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Aback

1. toward the back [adv]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Aback

abacates
abacavir
abacaxi
abacaxis
abaci
abacinate
abacinated
abacinates
abacinating
abacination
abacinations
abacisci
abaciscus
abacist
abacists
aback (current term)
abacks
abackward
abacost
abacot
abacs
abacterial
abacterial thrombotic endocarditis
abacterially
abactinal
abactinally
abaction
abactor
abactors
abaculi

Literary usage of Aback

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Two Years Before the Mast: A Personal Narrative by Richard Henry Dana (1911)
"This unwonted cry sent a thrill through the heart of every one, and, hurrying on deck, we found the vessel hove flat aback, with all her studding-sails set; ..."

2. Sons and Lovers by David Herbert Lawrence (1922)
"All right," he answered, rather taken aback. ' if I ask Edgar, he '11 always come with us, and then th can say nothing." " And you won't think about it, ..."

3. Harper's Cyclopaedia of British and American Poetry edited by Epes Sargent (1882)
"Avast! nor don't think me a milksop so soft To be taken by trifles aback ; For they say there's a Providence sits up aloft, To keep watch for the life of ..."

4. The Living Age by Making of America Project, Eliakim Littell, Robert S. Littell (1868)
"... of the field aback of the Low Meadow. I'll go and look for it to-morrow." «4 shall be so glad if you find it," exclaimed Agnes, turning to him brightly, ..."

5. The New American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge by George Ripley (1858)
"aback, a sea term. The sails of a ship яте said to be taken aback when by the force of the wind they are made to press against tho masts. ..."

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