GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   hackle , n. [See Heckle, and cf. Hatchel.]
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   A comb for dressing flax, raw silk, etc.; a hatchel.
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   Any flimsy substance unspun, as raw silk.
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   One of the peculiar, long, narrow feathers on the neck of fowls, most noticeable on the cock, -- often used in making artificial flies; hence, any feather so used.
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   An artificial fly for angling, made of feathers.
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2.       
   Hackle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hackled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Hackling .]
   To separate, as the coarse part of flax or hemp from the fine, by drawing it through the teeth of a hackle or hatchel.
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   To tear asunder; to break in pieces.
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   The other divisions of the kingdom being hackled and torn to pieces.
   Burke.
   
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3.       
   Hatchel , n. [OE. hechele, hekele; akin to D. hekel, G. hechel, Dan. hegle, Sw. häkla, and prob. to E. hook. See Hook, and cf. Hackle, Heckle.] An instrument with long iron teeth set in a board, for cleansing flax or hemp from the tow, hards, or coarse part; a kind of large comb; -- called also hackle and heckle.
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