tack

¹tack

verb \ˈtak\

Definition of TACK

transitive verb

1

: attach; especially : to fasten or affix with tacks

2

: to join in a slight or hasty manner

3

a : to add as a supplement

b : to add (a rider) to a parliamentary bill

4

: to change the direction of (a sailing ship) when sailing close-hauled by turning the bow to the wind and shifting the sails so as to fall off on the other side at about the same angle as before

intransitive verb

1

a : to tack a sailing ship

b of a ship : to change to an opposite tack by turning the bow to the wind

c : to follow a course against the wind by a series of tacks

2

a : to follow a zigzag course

b : to modify one's policy or attitude abruptly

— tack·er noun

Examples of TACK

1. She tacked a poster on the wall.
2. A message was tacked to the board.
3. We had to tack repeatedly as we sailed toward the harbor.

Origin of TACK

Middle English takken, from tak

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with TACK

back, black, Braque, clack, claque, crack, flack, flak, hack, jack, knack, lac, lack, lakh, mac, Mac, pack, plaque, quack, rack, sac, sack, sacque, shack, slack, smack, snack, stack, tach, thwack, track, Wac, wack, whack, wrack, yak

²tack

noun

Definition of TACK

1

: a small short sharp-pointed nail usually having a broad flat head

2

a : the direction of a ship with respect to the trim of her sails <starboard tack>

b : the run of a sailing ship on one tack

c : a change when close-hauled from the starboard to the port tack or vice versa

d : a zigzag movement on land

e : a course or method of action; especially : one sharply divergent from that previously followed

3

: any of various usually temporary stitches

4

: the lower forward corner of a fore-and-aft sail

5

: a sticky or adhesive quality or condition

Origin of TACK

Middle English tak fastener, rope tying down the windward corner of a sail, from Middle French (Norman dialect) taque; akin to Middle Dutch tac sharp point

First Known Use: 1574

³tack

noun

Definition of TACK

: hardtack 1

Origin of TACK

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1841

⁴tack

noun

Definition of TACK

: stable gear; especially : articles of harness (as saddle and bridle) for use on a saddle horse

Origin of TACK

perhaps short for tackle

First Known Use: 1924

Other Equestrian Terms

canter, cantle, curry, farrier, hunter, paddock, router, skirt