TACK, v.t. [Gr. to set,place, ordain.]

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.

In rural economy, a shelf on which cheese is dried. [Local.] Tack of land, the term of a lease. [Local.]

To change the course of a ship by shifting the tacks and position of the sails from one side to the other. Mar. Dict.

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. Swift. And tack the center to the sphere. Herbert.
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.

1. A stain; a tache.
   
   
   [Obs.]
2. A small, short, sharp-pointed nail, usually having a broad, flat head.
3. To fasten or attach.
   
   
   "In hopes of getting some commendam tacked to their sees." Swift.

   And tacks the center to the sphere. Herbert.

4. To change the direction of a vessel by shifting the position of the helm and sails; also (as said of a vessel), to have her direction changed through the shifting of the helm and sails. See Tack, v. t., 4.
   
   

   Monk, . . . when he wanted his ship to tack to larboard, moved the mirth of his crew by calling out, "Wheel to the left." Macaulay.

5. A peculiar flavor or taint; as, a musty tack.
   
   
   [Obs. or Colloq.] Drayton.
6. That which is attached; a supplement; an appendix. See Tack, v. t., 3.
   
   
   Macaulay.

   Some tacks had been made to money bills in King Charles's time. Bp. Burnet.

7. 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.
8. A rope used to hold in place the foremost lower corners of the courses when the vessel is closehauled (see Illust. of Ship); also, a rope employed to pull the lower corner of a studding sail to the boom.
   
   
   (b)
9. In parliamentary usage, to add (a supplement) to a bill; to append; -- often with on or to.
   
   
   Macaulay.
10. A contract by which the use of a thing is set, or let, for hire; a lease.
    
    
    Burrill.
11. 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.
    
    

    * 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.

12. Confidence; reliance.
    
    
    [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

    Tack of a flag (Naut.), a line spliced into the eye at the foot of the hoist for securing the flag to the halyards. -- Tack pins (Naut.), belaying pins; -- also called jack pins. -- To haul the tacks aboard (Naut.), to set the courses. -- To hold tack, to last or hold out. Milton.