aback
/əˈbak
/adverb
1 archaic Towards or situated to the rear; back: the little strip of pasture aback of the house...
- The two started down the dusty road and John was quick to follow, but his father's words pulled him aback.
- Now he could look right through the tiny window over the roof, on to the tree-tops aback of the house.
2 Sailing With the sail pressed backwards against the mast by a headwind: Peter holds the jib aback until our bow swings across the wind...
- Once the boat has tacked the jib will be aback.
- The wind came now from this side, now from that, determined to catch the sails aback.
- Peter holds the jib aback until our bow swings across the wind.
Phrases
take someone aback
Origin
Old English on bæc (see a-2, back). The term came to be treated as a single word in nautical use.