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abaft
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1abaft

adverb

Definition of ABAFT

: toward or at the stern : aft
See abaft defined for kids »

Examples of ABAFT

  1. <the lookout in the crow's nest warned that there was an enemy frigate abaft and bearing down hard on their ship>

Origin of ABAFT

Middle English, from a- + baft in the rear, from Old English bæftan, from be- + æftan behind — more at aft
First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ABAFT

Synonyms
aft, astern, sternward (or sternwards)
Antonyms
fore, forward

Rhymes with ABAFT

aircraft, butt shaft, campcraft, camshaft, crankshaft, downdraft, driveshaft, engraft, handcraft, indraft, kingcraft, life raft, rockshaft, scoutcraft, seacraft, skin graft, spacecraft, stagecraft, statecraft, tradecraft, updraft, witchcraft, woodcraft

2abaft

preposition \ə-ˈbaft\

Definition of ABAFT

: to the rear of; specifically : toward the stern from

Examples of ABAFT

  1. <a school of porpoises swam abaft the fishing boat>

First Known Use of ABAFT

1594

Related to ABAFT

Synonyms
behind, back of
Antonyms
before

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