c. 1200, a contraction of Old English on bæc "backward, behind, at or on the back;" see see a- (1) + back (n.). Now surviving mainly in taken aback, originally a nautical expression in refer [..]

*Taken Aback* Surprised, Shocked.

(adv) having the wind against the forward side of the sails(adv) by surprise

I was taken aback—I was greatly astonished—taken by surprise—startled. It is a sea term. A ship is “taken aback” when the sails are suddenly carried by the [..]

The situation of the sails, when their surfaces are pressed aft against the mast by the force of the wind. Abaft

1. Turning a sailing ship so the wind hits the forward face of the sail. Done to create a braking effect to a sailing ship. It is detrimental when a sailing ship accidentally goes aback when tacking a [..]

Wind coming in from the front or 'wrong' side of a sail or sails, i.e. coming in to harbour with 'all yards aback'.

Backing a sail is turning it so that the wind hits the forward face; the effect is to slow a ship or boat. A sail which is being backed is said to be 'aback.' A sailing ship which accidental [..]

the condition 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 tak [..]

Condition of sail when the wind pressure is on the leeward or forward side, with sails backed or trimmed to windward (wind on the wrong side of the sails) Also known as "backwinded"

(obsolete) An abacus. Ben Jonson

lang=en 1800s=1851 * '''1851''' — . ''''. *: Preserving an interval of some few yards between itself and the ship, the Jeroboam's boat by the occasional use of its oars contrived to keep parallel t [..]