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 ]

n. [ From an old or dialectal form of F. tache. See Techy. ] 1. A stain; a tache. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. [ Cf. L. tactus. ] A peculiar flavor or taint; as, a musty tack. [ Obs. or Colloq. ] Drayton. [ 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 ]