Webster's English Dictionary

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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