Aback
[ə'bæk]
Definition
(adv.) by surprise; 'taken aback by the caustic remarks'.
(adv.) having the wind against the forward side of the sails; 'the ship came up into the wind with all yards aback'.
Typed by Ethan--From WordNet
Definition
(adv.) Toward the back or rear; backward.
(adv.) Behind; in the rear.
(adv.) Backward against the mast; -- said of the sails when pressed by the wind.
(n.) An abacus.
Editor: Margaret
Synonyms and Synonymous
ad. Backwards, rearwards, regressively.
Editor: Theresa
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Backwards, rearwards, aft, abaft, astern, behind, back
ANT:Onwards, forwards, ahead, before, afront, beyond, afore
Typed by Justine
Definition
adv. (naut.) said of sails pressed backward against the mast by the wind—hence (fig.) Taken aback taken by surprise
Checker: Peggy
Examples
- Becky was only a little taken aback. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Birkin looked at him steadily, as if somewhat taken aback. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- He was taken aback. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I was never so taken aback in my life. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Again Gerald was taken aback. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The doctor, in jest, offered to kiss the young girl, and was taken a little aback when she said he might for a franc! Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- He is sorely taken aback, too, by the dutiful behaviour of his nephew and has a woeful consciousness upon him of being a scapegrace. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- You are as beautiful as Helen, replied Maurice, rather taken aback at the directness of this question. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- She was rather taken aback. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Mr. Superintendent looked a little taken aback; but he made the best of it. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- I might have known that he would never help me out; but it took me aback to have to shape the question afresh, as if it were quite new. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- I--I do a little in that way,' replied Mr. Snodgrass, rather taken aback by the abruptness of the question. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Now, Watson, confess yourself utterly taken aback, said he. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- The blood rushed to his forehead; and, taken aback by the suddenness of her surrender, he caught her two hands awkwardly in his. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- She was silent a moment, as if taken aback, and not knowing what to say. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Sherlock Holmes's face showed that he was thoroughly taken aback by this new development. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Thus addressed directly, Roylands was rather taken aback, and reddened perceptibly through the tan of his skin. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
Checker: Peggy