- aback adv
- [ə'bæk]
to be taken aback — essere colto (-a) or preso (-a) alla sprovvista, rimanere sconcertato (-a)
I was taken aback by his reaction — sono rimasto sconcertato dalla sua reazione
English-Italian dictionary. 2013.
aback adv
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aback — (adv.) c.1200, from O.E. on bæc at or on the back; see BACK (Cf. back) (n.). Now surviving mainly in taken aback, originally a nautical expression in reference to a sudden change of wind that flattens the square sails back against the masts and… … Etymology dictionary
aback — [adv] taken unawares confused, surprised, thrown off, thrown off guard*; concept 403 … New thesaurus
aback — adv. taken aback (I was taken aback) ( I was startled ) * * * [ə bæk] taken aback ( I was startled ; I was taken aback) … Combinatory dictionary
aback — adv. 1 archaic backwards, behind. 2 Naut. (of a sail) pressed against the mast by a head wind. Phrases and idioms: take aback 1 surprise, disconcert (your request took me aback; I was greatly taken aback by the news). 2 (as taken aback) (of a… … Useful english dictionary
Aback — A*back ([.a]*b[a^]k ), adv. [Pref. a + back; AS. on b[ae]c at, on, or toward the back. See {Back}.] 1. Toward the back or rear; backward. Therewith aback she started. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. Behind; in the rear. Knolles. [1913 Webster] 3.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
aback — [ə bak′] adv. [OE on bæc, at or on the back] 1. Archaic backward; back 2. Naut. backward against the mast, as the sails of a square rigged vessel in a wind from straight ahead taken aback 1. Naut. in an unmanageable condition, as because of a… … English World dictionary
aback — adv rearward, to or in the rear, back, toward the back, behind, backward, hindward; Naut. abaft, Naut. aft, Naut. astern, Naut. sternward; retrogressively, regressively, retrogradingly; Fig. aloof, Fig. at a distance. See taken aback … A Note on the Style of the synonym finder
aback — adv. RG. 131 … Oldest English Words
aback — /euh bak /, adv. 1. toward the back. 2. Naut. so that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails. 3. taken aback, surprised and disconcerted: I was taken aback by his harsh criticism. adj. Naut. 4. (of a sail) positioned so… … Universalium
aback — a|back [əˈbæk] adv [Date: 1100 1200; : Old English; Origin: on bAc backward ] be taken aback (by sth) to be very surprised or shocked by something ▪ For a moment, I was completely taken aback by her request … Dictionary of contemporary English
aback — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adv. rearward, behind. See rear, difficulty. taken aback II (Roget s Thesaurus II) adverb Without adequate preparation: short, unawarely, unawares. Idiom: by surprise. See PREPARED … English dictionary for students
