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Webster 1913 Edition

Abaft

A-baft′

(ȧ-bȧft′)
,
p
rep.
[Pref.
a-
on + OE.
baft
,
baften
,
biaften
, AS.
beæftan
;
be
by +
æftan
behind. See
After
,
Aft
,
By
.]
(Naut.)
Behind; toward the stern from;
as,
abaft
the wheelhouse
.
Abaft the beam
.
See under
Beam
.

A-baft′

,
adv.
(Naut.)
Toward the stern; aft;
as, to go
abaft
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Abaft

AB'AFT

,
adv.
or prep. [Sax. eft or aeft, again. Hence efter or aefter, after, subsequent; Sax. aeftan, behind in place; to which word be is prefixed - beaeftan, behind, and this word is corrupted into abaft.]
A sea-term signifying in or at the hinder part of a ship, or the parts which lie towards the stern; opposed to afore. Relatively it denotes further aft or towards the stern; as abaft the mainmast. Abaft the beam, is in that arch of the horizon which is between a line drawn at right angles with the keel, and the point to which the stern is directed. It is often contracted into aft.

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