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Added 9 October 2026

aback

/əˈbæk/ adverb

adverb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about aback at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Towards the back or rear; backwards. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
In the rear; a distance behind.
By surprise; startled; dumbfounded. (see usage)

noun

An inscribed stone square.

Origin

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.).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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