Hac"kle (?), n. [See Heckle, and cf. Hatchel.]

1.

A comb for dressing flax, raw silk, etc.; a hatchel.

2.

Any flimsy substance unspun, as raw silk.

3.

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.

4.

An artificial fly for angling, made of feathers.

 

© Webster 1913.


Hac"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hackled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hackling (?).]

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 asunder; to break in pieces.

The other divisions of the kingdom being hackled and torn to pieces. Burke.

 

© Webster 1913.