tack1
n.
- a small, sharp broad-headed nail.
▸N. Amer. a drawing pin.
- a long stitch used to fasten fabrics together temporarily, prior to permanent sewing.
- a course of action:
there is no reason for them to change tack now.
- Sailing an act of tacking.
▸a boat's course relative to the direction of the wind.
- Sailing a rope for securing the corner of certain sails.
▸the corner to which such a rope is fastened.
- the quality of being sticky.
v.
- fasten or fix with tacks or with temporary long stitches.
-
(tack something on)
add something to something already existing.
- Sailing change course by turning a boat's head into and through the wind.
▸make a series of such changes of course.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: prob. rel. to OFr. tache ‘clasp, large nail’.
tack2
n.
equipment used in horse riding, including the saddle and bridle.
Etymology
C18 (in the sense ‘apparatus, equipment’): contr. of tackle.
tack3
n.
informal cheap, shoddy, or tasteless material.
Etymology
1980s: back-form. from tacky2.