What is the meaning of word abaft?

"Abaft" is a nautical term meaning "at or towards the stern (rear) of a ship or boat." It's essentially the opposite of "afore," which means "at or towards the bow (front)."

Here are some examples of how "abaft" might be used:

* "The lifeboat was positioned abaft the main mast." This means the lifeboat was located behind the main mast.

* "The captain ordered the crew to move abaft to counter the list." This indicates the crew moved towards the stern to help balance the ship.

* "The anchor chain ran abaft the ship's stern." This implies the anchor chain was running behind the ship's rear end.

While "abaft" is primarily a nautical term, it can also be used in a metaphorical sense to refer to something that is behind or following something else. For example, you might say, "The problems came abaft the initial success."