Sentence:  The mild, though licentious reign, of Louis the Sixteenth, threw France far <WSD>aback</WSD>, in her ambitious career; but it gave birth to that revolution, wherein, her warlike propensities and territorial resources were unfolded with tenfold efficacy. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Towards the back or rear; backwards. (First attested prior to 1150.)<ref name=SOED>(page=2)</ref>