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.]