brace aback
C1 formal transitive
In simple words
In sailing, to angle the sails so that the wind pushes against the front of them, which slows the ship down.
Literal meaning: To brace (hold firmly or angle) the yards of a ship so they are pushed aback (backward by the wind).
Meanings
1 C1 formal
(Nautical) To position a sailing ship's yards so that the wind strikes the front of the sails, stopping or slowing forward movement.
"The captain ordered them to brace aback to halt the ship's forward progress near the harbor entrance."
Usage notes
Exclusively nautical terminology. Not used outside of sailing or maritime history contexts. Rarely encountered by general learners. Historical sailing term.
Commonly used with
yards sails ship vessel wind square
Forms
Base
brace aback
I/you/we/they
3rd person
braces aback
he/she/it
Past simple
braced aback
yesterday
Past participle
braced aback
have + pp
-ing form
bracing aback
continuous
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Synonyms
heave to back the sails
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