Main Entry: ¹tack·le

Pronunciation: \ˈta-kəl, nautical often ˈtā-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English takel; akin to Middle Dutch takel ship's rigging

Date: 13th century

1 : a set of the equipment used in a particular activity : gear <fishing tackle>
2 a : a ship's rigging b : an assemblage of ropes and pulleys arranged to gain mechanical advantage for hoisting and pulling
3 a : the act or an instance of tackling b (1) : either of two offensive football players positioned on each side of the center and between guard and end (2) : either of two football players positioned on the inside of a defensive line

[tackle illustration]