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 pulling3 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]