Associations to the word «Aback»

ABACK, adverb. (archaic) Towards the back or rear; backwards. [First attested prior to 1150.]

ABACK, adverb. (archaic) In the rear; a distance behind. [First attested prior to 1150.]

ABACK, adverb. By surprise; startled; dumbfounded.

ABACK, adverb. (nautical) 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. [First attested in the late 17th century.]

ABACK, noun. (obsolete) An abacus.

ABACK, adverb. Having the wind against the forward side of the sails; "the ship came up into the wind with all yards aback".

ABACK, adverb. By surprise; "taken aback by the caustic remarks".