ABACK • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Aback

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/əbˈæk/ Listen

adverb

Aback adv.

Toward the back or rear; backward. "Therewith aback she started."

Behind; in the rear.

(Naut.) Backward against the mast; said of the sails when pressed by the wind.

To be taken aback.

(a)

To be driven backward against the mast; said of the sails, also of the ship when the sails are thus driven.

(b)

To be suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited.

noun

Aback n. An abacus. (Obs.)

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Etymology of 'Aback'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Aback" Quotes from Famous Books

... taken aback at first. It seemed that he was about to plunge into the midst of the whole Iroquois nation, and at a time, too, when something of extreme importance was going on, but a little reflection showed that he was fortunate. Amid so many people, and so much ferment it was not at all likely ...

— The Scouts of the Valley • Joseph A. Altsheler

... with the chapter," said Mary, rather coolly, for she was a good deal taken aback at finding them reading "Woodstock" on a Sunday; "but afterwards, I do want to ...

— Magnum Bonum • Charlotte M. Yonge

... now began to veer and increase, her sails kept filling aback; and as often as the man at the helm kept her off, the wind would baffle him, until finding it would be necessary to go on the other tack, or make some change of course, he called the Captain. The moment the latter put his foot upon deck, ...

— Manuel Pereira • F. C. Adams

... aback by this unexpected coolness that the flowers lay unnoticed as she looked up with a face so full of surprise, reproach, and something like shame that it was impossible to mistake its meaning. Charlie did not, and had the grace to redden deeply, ...

— Rose in Bloom - A Sequel to "Eight Cousins" • Louisa May Alcott

... Taken aback at this ungentle speech, and scarce knowing how to answer it fitly in the presence of the lady, Alleyne stood with his hand upon the handle of the door, while Sir Nigel and his companions dismounted. At the sound of these fresh voices, and of the tongue in which they spoke, ...

— The White Company • Arthur Conan Doyle

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