hackle

¹hack·le

noun \ˈha-kəl\

Definition of HACKLE

1

a : one of the long narrow feathers on the neck or saddle of a bird

b : the neck plumage of the domestic fowl

2

: a comb or board with long metal teeth for dressing flax, hemp, or jute

3

plural

a : erectile hairs along the neck and back especially of a dog

b : temper, dander <the issue raised some hackles>

4

a : an artificial fishing fly made chiefly of the filaments of a cock's neck feathers

b : filaments of cock feather projecting from the head of an artificial fly

Origin of HACKLE

Middle English hakell; akin to Old High German hāko hook — more at hook

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

Rhymes with HACKLE

cackle, crackle, grackle, macle, rackle, shackle, spackle, tackle

²hackle

transitive verb

hack·ledhack·ling \ˈha-k(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of HACKLE

: to comb out with a hackle

— hack·ler \-k(ə-)lər\ noun

First Known Use of HACKLE

1616

Rhymes with HACKLE

cackle, crackle, shackle, tackle