TACK

The weather clue or corner of a course, as also of any sail set with a boom or gaff, and of a flag. Also, the rope by which such clue is extended: thus, the main tack is the rope by which the tack or weather clue of the mainsail is drawn down to the ship's side. A ship is said to be on the starboard tack when she is close-hauled, having the wind on the starboard side; and on the larboard tack, when the wind is on the larboard side. To tack is to change from one tack to the other by turning the ve el round with her head to the wind. [s. 1227]