TACK

I. verb Etymology: Middle English takken, from tak Date: 14th century transitive verb attach , to join in a slight or hasty manner, 3. to add as a supplement, to add (a rider) to a parliamentary bill, to change the direction of (a sailing ship) when sailing close-hauled by turning the bow to the wind and shifting the sails so as to fall off on the other side at about the same angle as before, intransitive verb 1. to ~ a sailing ship, to change to an opposite ~ by turning the bow to the wind, to follow a course against the wind by a series of ~s, 2. to follow a zigzag course, to modify one's policy or attitude abruptly, ~er noun II. noun Etymology: Middle English tak fastener, rope tying down the windward corner of a sail, from Middle French (Norman dialect) taque; akin to Middle Dutch tac sharp point Date: 1574 a small short sharp-pointed nail usually having a broad flat head, 2. the direction of a ship with respect to the trim of her sails , the run of a sailing ship on one ~, a change when close-hauled from the starboard to the port ~ or vice versa, a zigzag movement on land, a course or method of action, any of various usually temporary stitches, the lower forward corner of a fore-and-aft sail, a sticky or adhesive quality or condition, III. noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1841 hard~ 1, IV. noun Etymology: perhaps short for ~le Date: 1924 stable gear