ABACK

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does aback mean? 

• ABACK (adverb)
  The adverb ABACK has 2 senses:

1. having the wind against the forward side of the sails

2. by surprise

  Familiarity information: ABACK used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ABACK (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having the wind against the forward side of the sails

Context example:

the ship came up into the wind with all yards aback

Sense 2

Meaning:

By surprise

Context example:

taken aback by the caustic remarks

 Context examples 

As you can imagine, I was utterly taken aback by such an address.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They were a good deal taken aback, and after a little consultation one and all tumbled down the fore companion, thinking no doubt to take us on the rear.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Sherlock Holmes’s face showed that he was thoroughly taken aback by this new development.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mr. Peggotty, taken aback, looked from Mrs. Gummidge to me, and from me to Mrs. Gummidge, as if he had been awakened from a sleep.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

So sudden was it, and so unexpected, that Buck was taken aback.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

I was quite taken aback, and before I could find myself had sillily stammered, “I—I am a gentleman.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Taken aback at this ungentle speech, and scarce knowing how to answer it fitly in the presence of the lady, Alleyne stood with his hand upon the handle of the door, while Sir Nigel and his companions dismounted.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Arthur was so taken aback that he did not for a moment know what to do or say; and before any impulse of violence could seize him he realised the place and the occasion, and stood silent, waiting.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

If you will believe me, she went and knocked at the study door before she gave herself time to think, and when a gruff voice called out, come in! she did go in, right up to Mr. Laurence, who looked quite taken aback, and held out her hand, saying, with only a small quaver in her voice, I came to thank you, sir, for...

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

They paused as if taken aback, and before they recovered, not only the squire and I, but Hunter and Joyce from the block house, had time to fire.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)