Tack: meaning, definitions and examples

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tack

 

[ tæk ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

sailing

A small, sharp, pointed nail with a flat head, used especially for fastening carpet, cloth, or paper.

Synonyms

brad, nail, pin

Examples of usage

  • He hammered in the tack to secure the cloth in place.
  • She accidentally stepped on a tack and hurt her foot.
Context #2 | Verb

sailing

To change the direction of a sailing vessel by turning its bow into and through the wind.

Synonyms

alter course, change direction, zigzag

Examples of usage

  • The captain decided to tack to avoid the oncoming storm.
  • They had to tack multiple times to navigate through the narrow channel.

Translations

Translations of the word "tack" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tachinha

🇮🇳 कील

🇩🇪 Reißzwecke

🇮🇩 paku

🇺🇦 канцелярська кнопка

🇵🇱 pinezka

🇯🇵 画鋲 (がびょう)

🇫🇷 punaises

🇪🇸 chincheta

🇹🇷 raptiye

🇰🇷 압정 (apjeong)

🇸🇦 دبوس

🇨🇿 špendlík

🇸🇰 špendlík

🇨🇳 图钉 (túdīng)

🇸🇮 risalni žebljiček

🇮🇸 teiknibóla

🇰🇿 канцелярия түйреуіш

🇬🇪 სამაგრი

🇦🇿 pinqanad

🇲🇽 chincheta

Word origin

The word 'tack' originated from Middle English 'tak' which means 'fastening'. It has been used in the context of sailing for centuries, referring to the act of changing the direction of a sailing vessel by turning it into and through the wind. The noun form of 'tack' referring to a small, sharp nail with a flat head has also been in use since the 14th century.

See also: tackle, tacky.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,397, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.