aback

[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
3.
(of a sail) positioned so that the wind presses against the forward side.
4.
(of a yard) positioned so that its sail is laid aback.
Idioms
5.
taken aback, surprised and disconcerted:
I was taken aback by his harsh criticism.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English abak, Old English on bæc to the rear. See a-1 on, back1
Examples from the web for aback
  • My point is that people want opinions, but are usually taken aback by what they here.
  • And then he seems perpetually taken aback when his remarks provoke a backlash.
  • But others involved in the negotiations were taken aback by his optimism.
  • At first he was a bit taken aback by the budget constraints, but as soon as he made the mental adjustment, he was off and running.
British Dictionary definitions for aback

aback

/əˈbæk/
adverb
1.
taken aback
  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
Word Origin
Old English on bæc to the back
Word Origin and History for aback
adv.

c.1200, from Old English on bæc "at or on the back;" see back (n.). Now surviving mainly in taken aback, originally a nautical expression in reference to a vessel's square sails when a sudden change of wind flattens them back against the masts and stops the forward motion of the ship (1754). The figurative sense is first recorded 1840.

Idioms and Phrases with aback

aback

see: take aback