aback

aback · adverb¹

1. Old English · inherited fromonbæc
2. Middle English · inherited fromabak
3. English todayaback

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.).

aback · noun²

1. Ancient Greekἄβαξ (ábax)
2. Latinabacus
3. English todayaback

Borrowed from Latin abacus.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• First attested prior to 1150. Towards the back or rear; backwards.
• First attested prior to 1150. In the rear; a distance behind.
• First attested in the late 17ᵗʰ century. 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.