Ab"ack (ăb"ak), n. An abacus. [Obs.]
B.
Jonson.
A*back" (&adot;*băk"), adv. [Pref. a- + back; AS. on bæc at,
on, or toward the back. See Back.]
1. Toward the back or rear;
backward. "Therewith aback she started." Chaucer.
2.
Behind; in the rear. Knolles.
3. (Naut.) Backward against the mast; -- said of the
sails when pressed by the wind. Totten.
To be taken aback. (a) To be driven backward against the mast; -- said of the
sails, also of the ship when
the sails are thus driven. (b) To be
suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited. Dickens.
Hear it pronounced