/euh bak"/ , adv.
1. toward the back.
2. Naut. so that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails.
3. taken aback , surprised and disconcerted: I was taken aback by his harsh criticism.
adj. Naut.
4. (of a sail) positioned so that the wind presses against the forward side.
5. (of a yard) positioned so that its sail is laid aback.
[ bef. 1000; ME abak, OE on baec to the rear. See A- 1 , ON, BACK 1 ]