tack

TACK, verb transitive [Gr. to set, place, ordain.] 1. To fasten; to attach. In the solemn or grave style, this word now appears ludicrous; as, to get a commendam tacked to their sees. --And tack the center to the sphere. 2. To unite by stitching together; as, to tack together the sheets of a book; to tack one piece of cloth to another. [In the familiar style, this word is in good use.] 3. To fasten slightly by nails; as, to tack on a board or shingle. TACK TACHE, noun A spot. [Not used.] TACK, noun A small nail. 1. A rope used to confine the foremost lower corners of the courses and stay-sails, when the wind crosses the ship's course obliquely; also, a rope employed to pull the lower corner of a studding sail to the boom. Hence, 2. The part of a sail to which the tack is usually fastened; the foremost lower corner of the courses. Hence, 3. The course of a ship in regard to the position of her sails; as the starboard tack or larboard tack; the former when she is close-hauled with the wind on her starboard, the latter when close hauled with the wind on her larboard. To hold tack to last or hold out. TACK of a flag, a line spliced into the eye at the bottom of the tabling, for securing the flag to the halliards. TACK, verb intransitive To change the course of a ship by shifting the tacks and position of the sails from one side to the other. TACK, noun In rural economy, a shelf on which cheese is dried. [Local.] TACK of land, the term of a lease. [Local.]