1tack1 (tæk
)
Definitions
noun
- a short sharp-pointed nail, usually with a flat and comparatively large head
- British a long loose temporary stitch used in dressmaking, etc
- See tailor's-tack
- a temporary fastening
- stickiness, as of newly applied paint, varnish, etc
- nautical the heading of a vessel sailing to windward, stated in terms of the side of the sail against which the wind is pressing
- nautical
- a course sailed by a sailing vessel with the wind blowing from forward of the beam
- one such course or a zigzag pattern of such courses
- nautical
- a sheet for controlling the weather clew of a course
- the weather clew itself
- nautical the forward lower clew of a fore-and-aft sail
- a course of action differing from some previous course ⇒
he went off on a fresh tack
- See on the wrong tack
verb
- (tr) to secure by a tack or series of tacks
- British to sew (something) with long loose temporary stitches
- (tr) to attach or append ⇒
tack this letter onto the other papers
- nautical to change the heading of (a sailing vessel) to the opposite tack
- nautical to steer (a sailing vessel) on alternate tacks
- (intr) nautical (of a sailing vessel) to proceed on a different tack or to alternate tacks
- (intr) to follow a zigzag route; keep changing one's course of action
Alternative Forms
ˈtackless adjective Word Origin
C14 tak fastening, nail; related to Middle Low German tacke pointed instrument
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
course,
approach,
direction,
tactic,
way,
plan,
heading,
line,
bearing,
method,
path,
procedure,
tenor,
2tack2 (tæk)
Definitions
noun
- informal food, esp when regarded as inferior or distasteful See also hardtack
Word Origin
C19: of unknown origin
3tack3 (tæk)
Definitions
noun
- riding harness for horses, such as saddles, bridles, etc
- ((as modifier) ⇒
the tack room
Word Origin
C20: shortened from tackle
4tack4 (tæk)
Definitions
noun
Scottish - a lease
- an area of land held on a lease
Word Origin
C15: from tak a Scots word for take
