Hackle Definition

hăkəl
hackled, hackles, hackling
noun
hackles
A comblike instrument for separating the fibers of flax, hemp, etc.
Webster's New World
Any of the long, slender feathers at the neck of a rooster, peacock, pigeon, etc.
Webster's New World
Such feathers, collectively.
Webster's New World
A tuft of feathers from a rooster's neck, used in making artificial flies.
Webster's New World
The hairs on a dog's neck and back that bristle, as when the dog is ready to fight.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
hackled, hackling
To separate the fibers of (flax, hemp, etc.) with a hackle.
Webster's New World
To supply (a fishing fly) with a hackle.
Webster's New World
To cut roughly; hack; mangle.
Webster's New World
To hack.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
idiom
get (one's) hackles up
  • To be extremely insulted or irritated.
American Heritage
get one's hackles up
  • to become tense with anger; bristle
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Hackle

Noun

Singular:
hackle
Plural:
hackles

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Hackle

  • get (one's) hackles up
  • get one's hackles up

Origin of Hackle

  • Old English *hacule, *hecile, from Proto-Germanic *hakilā. Cognate with Dutch hekel, German Hechel.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English hakell cloak, skin, plumage possibly from Old English hacele cloak, mantle

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Frequentative of hack

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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