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 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