| 释义 |
aback \əˈbak\ adverb Etymology: Middle English abak, from Old English on bæc, from on on, at, towards + bæc back — more at on, back 1. archaic a. : toward or to the back or rear : backward, back < all suddenly dismayed … he fled aback — Edmund Spenser > b. : in the rear : behind 2. : in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface of a sail — usually used of a square sail or yard < the ship came up into the wind with all yards aback — H.A.Chippendale > 3. : by surprise : unawares — used with preceding take < completely taken aback at the question > |