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Definition of aback : 1. An abacus.
2. Backward against the mast; - said of the sails when pressed by the wind.
3. Behind; in the rear.
4. Toward the back or rear; backward.

Synonyms:

unexpectedly, suddenly, short, by surprise, prepared, unawarely, unanticipatedly, unaware, unawares

Usage examples:

• He snapped the question out so quickly that I was somewhat taken aback, and he began again, without waiting for an answer. - "A Top-Floor Idyl", George van Schaick.
• Tom was so taken aback that he made no effort to follow. - "Tom Brown at Oxford", Thomas Hughes.
• They had not long to wait; in little over a couple of minutes Captain Leicester's voice was heard giving the order to shift the helm- the brig having in the meantime gone round until she was head to wind with her canvas flat aback- and to trim over the head- sheets. - "The Voyage of the Aurora", Harry Collingwood.