Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TACK, n.¹ [Ir. taca; Arm. tach.]

1. A small nail.
2. 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,
3. The part of a sail to which the tack is usually fastened; the foremost lower corner of the courses. Hence,
4. 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. Mar. Dict. To hold tack, to last or hold out. Tusser. Tack of a flag, a line splised into the eye at the bottom of the tabling, for securing the flag to the halliards.