aback

Meaning

Adv

1. (Geordie, archaic, not-comparable) Towards the back or rear; backwards.
2. (archaic, not-comparable) In the rear; a distance behind.
3. (not-comparable) By surprise; startled; dumbfounded. (see usage)
4. (not-comparable) Backward against the mast; said of the sails when pressed by the wind from the "wrong" (forward) side, or of a ship when its sails are set that way.

Noun

An inscribed stone square.

Synonyms

bemused

backwards

back

🔙

backward

baffled

befogged

befuddled

behind

bewildered

confounded

😖

confused

😕

dazzled

disconcerted

disoriented

distracted

embarrassed

fazed

flabbergasted

muddleheaded

mystified

nonplussed

overawed

puzzled

rearward

stirred

astonied

gobsmacked

nonplused

rear wards

asswards

abaft

astounded

Translations

προς τα πίσω

achterwaarts

rückwärts

rugwaarts

atrás

por detraz ás avessas

pelo contrario

sorpreso

achteruit

attònito

en arrière

dietro

atraz

ξαφνικά

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əˈbæk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: abak

Inherited from Old English: onbæc

Cognate with Western Frisian: tebek

Cognate with Swedish: tillbaka

In summary

From Middle English abak, from Old English onbæc, equivalent to a- (“towards”) + back. Compare West Frisian tebek (“aback”, adverb, literally “to/at back”), Swedish tillbaka (idem.).