[əˈbak], (Adverb)

Definitions:
- towards or situated to the rear; back
(e.g: the little strip of pasture aback of the house)

- with the sail pressed backwards against the mast by a headwind
(e.g: Peter holds the jib aback until our bow swings across the wind)


Phrases:
- take someone aback

Origin:
Old English on bæc(see a-, back). The term came to be treated as a single word in nautical use