Main Entry:

¹hack·le

Pronunciation:

\ˈha-kəl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

15th century

1 a: one of the long narrow feathers on the neck or saddle of a bird b: the neck plumage of the domestic fowl2: a comb or board with long metal teeth for dressing flax, hemp, or jute3plural 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