Meaning of aback | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Towards the back or rear; backwards.
   Geordie, archaic, not-comparable
2. In the rear; a distance behind.
   archaic, not-comparable
3. By surprise; startled; dumbfounded. (see usage)
   not-comparable
4. Backward against the mast; said of the sails when pressed by the wind from the "wrong" (forward) side, or of a ship when its sails are set that way.
   not-comparable

Equivalents

Examples

“The mild, though licentious reign, of Louis the Sixteenth, threw France far aback, in her ambitious career; but it gave birth to that revolution, wherein, her warlike propensities and territorial resources were unfolded with tenfold efficacy.”

“Then stopped, and bounded aback, and away as if in fear, / That I saw her no more; then I wondered though sitting close anear / Was a she-wolf great and grisly.”

“hoyed aback o' the fire”

“There are so many canes upon Reliance that the labourers could not cut those aback, as they prefer cutting those in front. The cane fields aback were in cultivation last year.”

“I would rather board a hundred of the enemy's frigates, than steer my boat into a fleet of modest women, for a modest woman never fails to take me aback.”

“Q. Was not the Trident at that time aback with one or more Top-sails? A. To the best of my Knowledge she had both Top-sails aback.”

“As the anchor fetches her up, she will swing head to wind, bringing the head sails aback.”

“Then the sails on the mainmast were backing and we started getting stern way. Eagle was caught aback.”

CEFR level