aback

[ uh-bak ]

/ əˈbæk /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR aback ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

toward the back.

Nautical. so that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails.

adjective Nautical.

(of a sail) positioned so that the wind presses against the forward side.

(of a yard) positioned so that its sail is laid aback.

Idioms for aback

taken aback, surprised and disconcerted: I was taken aback by his harsh criticism.

Origin of aback

First recorded before 1000; Middle English abak, Old English on bæc “to the rear”; see a-¹, on, back¹

Words nearby aback

aba, abac, abaca, abaciscus, abacist, aback, Abaco, abacterial, abactinal, abaculus, abacus

Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for aback

I was taken aback, as I still am every time I see one of these birds, by how enormous it was.
The quest to snare—and save—the world’s largest owl|Jonathan Slaght|August 28, 2020|Popular Science
Antonio says NBA players are often taken aback when they visit the Philippines and people on the street want to discuss game details with them.
This Hoops Hotbed Is Set to Take Off|Pallabi Munsi|August 20, 2020|Ozy
It was apparent that, seasoned to surprises as they were, Nick's presence took them aback.
The Glimpses of the Moon|Edith Wharton
The simplicity of her question took Joseph aback, and he replied: I suppose thou'rt right in a way, Esora.
The Brook Kerith|George Moore

It took the Captain aback, and he came to a stand, eyeing us, who look'd back at him without saying a word.
The Splendid Spur|Arthur T. Quiller Couch
Denis's surprised displeasure at their action in opening the letter took them aback.
The Graftons|Archibald Marshall
Somers was thrown all aback by this arrival, which was certainly the most remarkable one that had taken place during the day.
The Young Lieutenant|Oliver Optic

British Dictionary definitions for aback

aback

/ (əˈbæk) /

adverb

taken aback

startled or disconcerted
nautical (of a vessel or sail) having the wind against the forward side so as to prevent forward motion

rare towards the back; backwards

Word Origin for aback

Old English on bæc to the back

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

Idioms and Phrases with aback

aback

see take aback.

单词	aback
释义	aback [ uh-bak ] / əˈbæk / SEE SYNONYMS FOR aback ON THESAURUS.COM adverb toward the back. Nautical. so that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails. adjective Nautical. (of a sail) positioned so that the wind presses against the forward side. (of a yard) positioned so that its sail is laid aback. Idioms for aback taken aback, surprised and disconcerted: I was taken aback by his harsh criticism. Origin of aback First recorded before 1000; Middle English abak, Old English on bæc “to the rear”; see a-¹, on, back¹ Words nearby aback aba, abac, abaca, abaciscus, abacist, aback, Abaco, abacterial, abactinal, abaculus, abacus Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020 Example sentences from the Web for aback I was taken aback, as I still am every time I see one of these birds, by how enormous it was. The quest to snare—and save—the world’s largest owl\|Jonathan Slaght\|August 28, 2020\|Popular Science Antonio says NBA players are often taken aback when they visit the Philippines and people on the street want to discuss game details with them. This Hoops Hotbed Is Set to Take Off\|Pallabi Munsi\|August 20, 2020\|Ozy It was apparent that, seasoned to surprises as they were, Nick's presence took them aback. The Glimpses of the Moon\|Edith Wharton The simplicity of her question took Joseph aback, and he replied: I suppose thou'rt right in a way, Esora. The Brook Kerith\|George Moore It took the Captain aback, and he came to a stand, eyeing us, who look'd back at him without saying a word. The Splendid Spur\|Arthur T. Quiller Couch Denis's surprised displeasure at their action in opening the letter took them aback. The Graftons\|Archibald Marshall Somers was thrown all aback by this arrival, which was certainly the most remarkable one that had taken place during the day. The Young Lieutenant\|Oliver Optic British Dictionary definitions for aback aback / (əˈbæk) / adverb taken aback startled or disconcerted nautical (of a vessel or sail) having the wind against the forward side so as to prevent forward motion rare towards the back; backwards Word Origin for aback Old English on bæc to the back 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 Idioms and Phrases with aback aback see take aback. The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Words related to aback surprised, confused
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aback

adverb

adjective Nautical.

Idioms for aback

Origin of aback

Words nearby aback

Example sentences from the Web for aback

British Dictionary definitions for aback

adverb

Word Origin for aback

Idioms and Phrases with aback

Words related to aback