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ABACK Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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View synonyms for aback

aback

[ uh-bak ]

adverb

  1. toward the back.
  2. Nautical. so that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails.


adjective

Nautical.
  1. (of a sail) positioned so that the wind presses against the forward side.
  2. (of a yard) positioned so that its sail is laid aback.

aback

/ əˈbæk /

adverb

  1. taken aback
    1. startled or disconcerted
    2. nautical (of a vessel or sail) having the wind against the forward side so as to prevent forward motion
  2. rare.
    towards the back; backwards
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of aback1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English abak, Old English on bæc “to the rear”; a- 1, on, back 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of aback1

Old English on bæc to the back
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. taken aback, surprised and disconcerted:

    I was taken aback by his harsh criticism.

More idioms and phrases containing aback

see take aback .
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Example Sentences

Even Hogan seemed taken aback by the reaction.

Garza said in his claim that he was “taken aback” by the dismissive response he received from his superiors, who took no immediate action.

When I describe her — a mother of six, a director, screenwriter, philanthropist and Tony Award-winning producer — as a woman with seemingly boundless capacity, she seems momentarily taken aback.

But he was taken aback when he saw the details of his first appearance as the eccentric vicar Father Chris.

From BBC

I think I was shocked or taken aback.

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Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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