Etymology 1

Prefix a- + back; Anglo Saxon on bæc at, on, or toward the back. See Back

Adverb

1. (Rare) Towards the back or rear; backwards.

   Quotations

   • Therewith aback she started. - Chaucer

2. Behind; in the rear - Knolles.
3. (Nautical): Backward against the mast; -- said of the sails when pressed by the wind. - Totten.

   Usage examples :

   • To sail aback : to sail against the wind.

• Estonian: tagasi , tagaspidi , tagurpidi (1: backwards); pakkis (2)
• Norwegian: bakk (3)

Derived Expression

To be taken aback.

1. To be driven backward against the mast; -- said of the sails, also of the ship when the sails are thus driven.
2. To be taken by surprise; to be suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited - Dickens

• Catalan: quedar desconcertat (2)
• Estonian: pakki minema (1); hämmastunud olema , jahmunud olema (2)
• Norwegian: bakk forbauset , forbløffett

Etymology 2

Derived from abacus

Noun

1. (Obsolete): An abacus - B. Jonson

• Catalan: àbac

Translations

• Greek: προς τα πίσω