Was taken aback (6)
I believe the answer is:
reeled
'was taken aback' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for reeled that I've seen before include "Staggered or tottered" , "Felt giddy, staggered" , "Wound up" , "Staggered - having done Irish dance?" , "swam around" .)