aback

American  

[uh-bak] / əˈbæk /

adverb

1. toward the back.

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

---

adjective

Nautical.

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

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

idioms

1. taken aback, surprised and disconcerted.

   I was taken aback by his harsh criticism.

aback British  

/ əˈbæk /

adverb

1. 1. startled or disconcerted

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

2. rare towards the back; backwards

---

aback More Idioms  

1. see take aback.

---

Etymology

Origin of aback

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

Example Sentences

Ranking member Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said he was “very taken aback” by the rules being “not enforced and certainly just broken immediately.”

From Salon

When county clerk Brianna Lennon got an email in November saying a newly expanded federal system had flagged 74 people on the county’s voter roll as potential noncitizens, she was taken aback.

From Salon

“Oh?” said the musk ox, taken aback by Duane’s unusually forceful voice.

From Literature

The chorus of boos that greets Mr. Horner clearly takes him aback, as it does the drivers shown backstage.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the St Andrews gym owner was taken aback when a message came in from the national paracycling team of Kenya.

From BBC

Related Words

• surprised