from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tack \Tack\, 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.
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And tacks the center to the sphere. --Herbert.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Note: 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.
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