Aback vs Abaci - What's the difference?
aback | abaci |
(archaic) Towards the back or rear; backwards.
* (rfdate),
(archaic) In the rear; a distance behind.
By surprise; startled; dumbfounded.
(nautical) 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.
(abacus)
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(obsolete) A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc. .
A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc.
(architecture) The uppermost portion of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave.
A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard.
*
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As nouns the difference between aback and abaci
is that aback is (obsolete) an abacus while abaci is (abacus).As an adverb aback
is (archaic) towards the back or rear; backwards .aback
English
Etymology 1
* From (etyl) . * . Compare West Frisian .Adverb
(-)- Therewith aback she started.
- (Knolles)
- By setting the foresail aback and the headsail in the middle one can bring a fore-and-aft rigged sailing boat practically to a halt even in heavy wind.
- (Totten)
Usage notes
* (by surprise) Preceded by a form of the word take .See also
*Etymology 2
From abacus.References
abaci
English
Alternative forms
* abacusesNoun
(head)abacus
English
Noun
(en-noun)- I've heard merchants still use an abacus for adding things up in China.
