The Definition of Aback

a·back /əˈbæk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-bak] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adverb 1. toward the back.
2. Nautical. so that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails.
–adjective Nautical. 3. (of a sail) positioned so that the wind presses against the forward side.
4. (of a yard) positioned so that its sail is laid aback.
—Idiom5. taken aback, surprised and disconcerted: I was taken aback by his harsh criticism.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Origin: bef. 1000; ME abak, OE on bæc to the rear. See a-1, on, back1]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.