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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Hackle

Hăck'le, v. t.

verbtransitive

(hăk'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. HACKLED; p. pr. & vb. n. HACKLING.] [M. H. Ger. hächeln, hecheln, N. H. Ger. hecheln, D. hekelen. See infra.] [Written also heckle.]

  1. To separate, as the coarse part of flax or hemp from the fine, by drawing it through the teeth of a hackle or hatchel.
  2. To tear rudely asunder; to break up into irregular fragments. “The other divisions of the kingdom being hackled and torn to pieces.” Burke.

Hăck'le, n.

noun

(hăk′l), n. [M. H. Ger. hächele, hechele, N. H. Ger. hechel, D. hekel, Sw. häckla, Dan. hegle, allied to Ger. haken, Eng. hook, q. v. Cf. HATCHEL.]

  1. [Written also heckle.] An instrument with teeth for separating the coarse part of flax or hemp from the fine; a hatchel.
  2. Any flimsy substance unspun, as raw silk.
  3. A fly for angling, dressed with feathers or silk. Walton.
  4. A long, shining feather on the neck of a cock. Walton.