Associations to the word «Hackle»

HACKLE, noun. An instrument with steel pins used to comb out flax or hemp. [from 15th c.]

HACKLE, noun. (usually now in the plural) One of the long, narrow feathers on the neck of birds, most noticeable on the cock. [from 15th c.]

HACKLE, noun. (fishing) A feather used to make a fishing lure or a fishing lure incorporating a feather. [from 17th c.]

HACKLE, noun. (usually now in the plural) By extension (because the hackles of a cock are lifted when it is angry), the hair on the nape of the neck in dogs and other animals; also used figuratively for humans. [from 19th c.]

HACKLE, noun. A plate with rows of pointed needles used to blend or straighten hair. [from 20th c.]

HACKLE, noun. A feather plume on some soldier's uniforms, especially the hat or helmet.

HACKLE, noun. Any flimsy substance unspun, such as raw silk.

HACKLE, verb. To dress (flax or hemp) with a hackle; to prepare fibres of flax or hemp for spinning. [from 17th c.]

HACKLE, verb. (transitive) To separate, as the coarse part of flax or hemp from the fine, by drawing it through the teeth of a hackle or hatchel.

HACKLE, verb. (archaic) (transitive) To tear asunder; to break into pieces.

HACKLE, noun. Long slender feather on the necks of e.g. turkeys and pheasants.

HACKLE, verb. Comb with a heckle; "heckle hemp or flax".