Definitions for aback
əˈbækaback

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. abackadverb

   having the wind against the forward side of the sails

   "the ship came up into the wind with all yards aback"

2. abackadverb

   by surprise

   "taken aback by the caustic remarks"

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. aback

   Aback is an adverb that means surprised, shocked, or taken unaware. It's often used in the phrase "taken aback," indicating a strong or sudden surprise reaction. It can also refer to a backward position in sailing.

2. aback

   Aback refers to a state of surprise, shock or confusion. It is usually used in the phrase "taken aback" which means to be suddenly and unexpectedly surprised or shocked. It can also refer to a backward positioning or direction, specifically in terms of sailing, when a ship's sails are filled from the opposite direction.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Abackadverb

   toward the back or rear; backward

2. Abackadverb

   behind; in the rear

3. Abackadverb

   backward against the mast; -- said of the sails when pressed by the wind

4. Abacknoun

   an abacus

5. Etymology: [Pref. a- + back; AS. on bc at, on, or toward the back. See Back.]

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Aback

   a-bak′, adv. (naut.) said of sails pressed backward against the mast by the wind—hence (fig.) Taken aback, taken by surprise, [A.S. on bæc. See On and Back.]

Dictionary of Nautical TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. aback

   The situation of a ship's sails when the wind bears against their front surfaces. They are laid aback, when this is purposely effected to deaden her way by rounding in the weather-braces; and taken aback, when brought to by an unexpected change of wind, or by inattention in the helmsman.--All aback forward, the notice given from the forecastle, when the head-sails are pressed aback by a sudden change in the wind. (See WORK ABACK.)--Taken aback, a colloquialism for being suddenly surprised or found out.

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce aback?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say aback in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of aback in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of aback in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of aback in a Sentence

1. Yvette Cormier:

   This is all new to me. I didn't go out to specifically bash a transgender person that day. I was taken aback by the situation, this is about me and how I felt unsafe. I should feel safe in there.

2. Courtesy Bernard Wilkin/AWAP Wilkin:

   I was taken aback, this was getting really crazy.

3. Gayle Dudley:

   I was taken aback. To be named a Grill Master Legend means a lot to me, what made me happiest is that I had the opportunity to share it with my mother and see how proud she was.

4. Peter Dinklage:

   There’s a lot of hypocrisy going on, literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White. But you’re still telling the story of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.’ Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.

5. Suniya Luthar:

   I was a little taken aback to see that apparently preadolescence is the new adolescence or junior high school or middle school is the new high school.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=aback
2. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
3. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aback
4. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=aback
5. ^ Dictionary of Nautical Terms
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/26000/pg26000-images.html#:~:text=aback
6. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=aback