tack

v. i. (Naut.) To change the direction of a vessel by shifting the position of the helm and sails; also (as said of a vessel), to have her direction changed through the shifting of the helm and sails. See Tack, v. t., 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

Monk, . . . when he wanted his ship to tack to larboard, moved the mirth of his crew by calling out, “Wheel to the left.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Tacked p. pr. & vb. n. Tacking. ] [ Cf. OD. tacken to touch, take, seize, fix, akin to E. take. See Tack a small nail. ] 1. To fasten or attach. “In hopes of getting some commendam tacked to their sees.” Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

And tacks the center to the sphere. Herbert. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Especially, to attach or secure in a slight or hasty manner, as by stitching or nailing; as, to tack together the sheets of a book; to tack one piece of cloth to another; to tack on a board or shingle; to tack one piece of metal to another by drops of solder. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. In parliamentary usage, to add (a supplement) to a bill; to append; -- often with on or to; as, to tack on a non-germane appropriation to a bill. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Naut.) To change the direction of (a vessel) when sailing closehauled, by putting the helm alee and shifting the tacks and sails so that she will proceed to windward nearly at right angles to her former course. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In tacking, a vessel is brought to point at first directly to windward, and then so that the wind will blow against the other side. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. tak, takke, a fastening; akin to D. tak a branch, twig, G. zacke a twig, prong, spike, Dan. takke a tack, spike; cf. also Sw. tagg prickle, point, Icel. tāg a willow twig, Ir. taca a peg, nail, fastening, Gael. tacaid, Armor. & Corn. tach; perhaps akin to E. take. Cf. Attach, Attack, Detach, Tag an end, Zigzag. ] 1. A small, short, sharp-pointed nail, usually having a broad, flat head. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is attached; a supplement; an appendix. See Tack, v. t., 3. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some tacks had been made to money bills in King Charles's time. Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Naut.) (a) A rope used to hold in place the foremost lower corners of the courses when the vessel is closehauled (see Illust. of Ship); also, a rope employed to pull the lower corner of a studding sail to the boom. (b) The part of a sail to which the tack is usually fastened; the foremost lower corner of fore-and-aft sails, as of schooners (see Illust. of Sail). (c) The direction of a vessel in regard to the trim of her sails; as, the starboard tack, or port tack; -- the former when she is closehauled with the wind on her starboard side; hence, the run of a vessel on one tack; also, a change of direction; as, to take a different tack; -- often used metaphorically. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Scots Law) A contract by which the use of a thing is set, or let, for hire; a lease. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Confidence; reliance. [ Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tack of a flag (Naut.), a line spliced into the eye at the foot of the hoist for securing the flag to the halyards. --
Tack pins (Naut.), belaying pins; -- also called jack pins. --
To haul the tacks aboard (Naut.), to set the courses. --
To hold tack, to last or hold out. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who tacks. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Dim. of tack a small nail. ] A small, broad-headed nail. [ Scot. ] Jamieson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. & n. See Tacky. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) A union of securities given at different times, all of which must be redeemed before an intermediate purchaser can interpose his claim. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The doctrine of tacking is not recognized in American law. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Tackled p. pr. & vb. n. Tackling. ] [ Cf. LG. takeln to equip. See Tackle, n. ] 1. To supply with tackle. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To fasten or attach, as with a tackle; to harness; as, to tackle a horse into a coach or wagon. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To seize; to lay hold of; to grapple; as, a wrestler tackles his antagonist; a dog tackles the game. [ 1913 Webster ]

The greatest poetess of our day has wasted her time and strength in tackling windmills under conditions the most fitted to insure her defeat. Dublin Univ. Mag. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Football) To cause the ball carrier to fall to the ground, thus ending the forward motion of the ball and the play. [ PJC ]

5. To begin to deal with; as, to tackle the problem. [ PJC ]