tack
1. tack \'tak\ n [ME tak something that attaches; akin to MD tac sharp
point] often attrib 1: a small short sharp-pointed nail usu. having a
broad flat head 2a: a rope to hold in place the forward lower corner of a
course on a saili ng ship 2b: a rope for hauling the outer lower corner of
a studding sail to the end of the boom 2c: the lower forward corner of a
fore-and-aft sail 2d: the corner of a sail to which a tack is fastened
3a: the direction of a ship with respect to the trim of her sails {starbo
ard ~} 3b: the run of a sailing ship on one tack 3c: a change when
close-hauled from the starboard to the port tack or vice versa 3d: a
zigzag movement on land 3e: a course or method of action; esp : one
sharply divergent from that previously followed 4: any of various usu.
temporary stitches 5: ADHESIVENESS, STICKINESS 6: stable gear
2. tack vt 1: ATTACH; esp : to fasten or affix with tacks 2: to join in a
slight or hasty manner 3a: to add as a supplement 3b: to add (a rider) to
a parliamentary bill 4: to change the direction of (a sailing ship) when
sailing close-hauled b y putting the helm alee and shifting the sails 1a:
to tack a sailing ship of a sailing ship 1b: to move in a different
direction by a tack 2a: to follow a zigzag course 2b: to modify one's
policy or an attitude abruptly - tack.er n
3. tack n [origin unknown] : STUFF; esp : FOODSTUFF