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Aback vs Alack - What's the difference?

aback | alack |

As an adverb aback

is towards the back or rear; backwards.

As a noun aback

is an abacus.

As an interjection alack is

an expression of sorrow or mourning.

aback

English

Etymology 1

* From (etyl) . * . Compare West Frisian .

Adverb

(-)
  • (archaic) Towards the back or rear; backwards.
  • * (rfdate),
    • Therewith aback she started.
  • (archaic) In the rear; a distance behind.
    • (Knolles)
  • 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.
    • 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.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) An abacus.
    • (Ben Jonson)

    References

    alack

    English

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • An expression of sorrow or mourning.
    • On a day (alack the day!)
    Love, whose month is ever May,
    Spied a blossom passing fair
    Playing in the wanton air.'' – '' – Shakespeare

    Synonyms

    *

    Derived terms

    * alack and alas