hackle Hear it!

hackle¹ Definition

hackle (hak′əl)

noun

  1. a comblike instrument for separating the fibers of flax, hemp, etc.
    1. any of the long, slender feathers at the neck of a rooster, peacock, pigeon, etc.
    2. such feathers, collectively
  3. Fishing
    1. a tuft of feathers from a rooster's neck, used in making artificial flies
    2. a fly made with a hackle
  4. the hairs on a dog's neck and back that bristle, as when the dog is ready to fight

Etymology: ME hechele (akin to Ger hechel) < OE *hæcel < IE base *keg-, a peg, hook > hack, hook: senses 2, 3, & 4, prob. infl. by dial. hackle, bird's plumage, animal's skin < OE hacele

transitive verb -·led, -·ling

  1. to separate the fibers of (flax, hemp, etc.) with a hackle
  2. Rare to supply (a fishing fly) with a hackle

hackle¹ Idioms

get one's hackles up

to become tense with anger; bristle

hackle² Definition

hackle (hak′əl)

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·led, -·ling

to cut roughly; hack; mangle

Etymology: freq. of hack

hackle Synonyms

hackle

n.

plumage, mantle, feathers; see feather.

hackle Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • raise: The removal of the post is also raising hackles across the globe.
  • tie: Tie the hackle in behind the eye by its tip.
  • have: A parachute fly has a hackle that is wound horizontally around the vertical wing post.
  • wear: An infantry battalion wearing red hackles has occupied the field, and in our house there is a brigade HQ.
  • wind: Wind the hackle in neat turns and bring back the rib in opposite direction, tie off.

Adjective modifier

  • few: Not surprisingly, this letter raised a few angry hackles.
  • black: I like to use a black hackle ribbed down the body for extra mobility with a lead underbody or a Gold bead head.
  • skeptical: But don't let your skeptical hackles put you off at this point, as there are real records here.

Modifies a noun

  • rise: When any English team trots out the hackles rise and its wholesale humiliation is the least I will settle for.

Noun used with modifier

  • neck: They are predominantly white birds with some black barring on the tail and neck hackle.
  • saddle: The neck and saddle hackles should be dark orange, matching in color when the head is turned to the tail.
  • game: The body consists of two very small teardrops of red dyed epoxy, with a red game hackle wound between them.
  • grizzle: The body is formed by yellow dyed grizzle hackle palmered down the shank and then trimmed to shape.
  • hen: If they are up use a fine wire hook B100 and try putting in a small hen hackle, keeping the dressing very slim.