abaft

[uh-baft, uh-bahft]

preposition

1. to the rear of; aft of.

   the fife rail abaft the mainmast.

adverb

1. in the direction of the stern; astern; aft.

abaft

/ əˈbɑːft /

adverb

1. closer to the stern than to another place on a vessel

   with the wind abaft

preposition

1. behind; aft of

   abaft the mast

Word History and Origins

Origin of abaft¹

1225–75; Middle English on baft, abaft, equivalent to a- ¹ and on on + baft, Old English bæftan contraction of be + æftan. See by aft ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of abaft¹

C13: on baft; baft from Old English beæftan, from be by + æftan behind

Example Sentences

There was not a sail on the horizon, or a storm cloud in the sky; just a fair wind abaft the beam and the Astrea reaching for the Cape.

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He made his way just abaft of the cabin, then stood squinting up at the Susan Marie’s guys and stays and at the peaks of her stabilizer bars.

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In the midst of the mêlée a hostile light cruiser, tearing at 27 knots, rammed the Velocity, cutting her completely in twain just abaft the after engine-room bulkhead.

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At the forward end it contained 34 staterooms and abaft these a number of public rooms, etc., for first-class passengers, including two first-class entrances and stairway, reading room, lounge, and the smoke room.

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They have three funnels; one almost amidships, another aft; whereas the third, which is considerably more slender than the others, is situated abaft the mainmast, immediately in rear of the bridge.

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