n. & v.
n. 1 a small sharp broad-headed nail. 2 US a drawing-pin. 3 a long stitch used in fastening fabrics etc. lightly or temporarily together. 4 a the direction in which a ship moves as determined by the position of its sails and regarded in terms of the direction of the wind (starboard tack). b a temporary change of direction in sailing to take advantage of a side wind etc. 5 a course of action or policy (try another tack). 6 Naut. a a rope for securing the corner of some sails. b the corner to which this is fastened. 7 a sticky condition of varnish etc. 8 Brit. an extraneous clause appended to a bill in Parliament.
v. 1 tr. (often foll. by down etc.) fasten with tacks. 2 tr. stitch (pieces of cloth etc.) lightly together. 3 tr. (foll. by to, on) annex (a thing). 4 intr. (often foll. by about) a change a ship's course by turning its head to the wind (cf. WEAR(2)). b make a series of tacks. 5 intr. change one's conduct or policy etc. 6 tr. Brit. append (a clause) to a bill. tacker n.
[ ME tak etc., of uncert. orig.: cf. Bibl. tache clasp, link f. OF tache ]