nounπShareAn instrument with steel pins used to comb out flax or hemp."The farmer used the hackle to comb out the tangled hemp fibers. "utensilagriculturematerialChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShare(usually now in the plural) One of the long, narrow feathers on the neck of birds, most noticeable on the rooster."The rooster's hackles stood on end as the farmer approached. "birdanimalbiologypartChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA feather used to make a fishing lure or a fishing lure incorporating a feather."My grandfather carefully tied a bright red hackle to his fishing hook, hoping to attract a trout. "fishanimalitemChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShare(usually now in the plural) By extension (because the hackles of a rooster are lifted when it is angry), the hair on the nape of the neck in dogs and other animals; also used figuratively for humans."When the dog got angry, his hackles rose and he growled."animalbodyphysiologyanatomyhumanemotionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA plate with rows of pointed needles used to blend or straighten hair."The wigmaker carefully ran the coarse horsehair through the hackle to straighten it before weaving it into the wig. "utensilitemChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA feather plume on some soldier's uniforms, especially the hat or helmet."The soldier's uniform was adorned with a vibrant red hackle on his helmet. "militarywearappearanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAny flimsy substance unspun, such as raw silk."The weaver used the raw hackle to begin the silk tapestry. "materialsubstanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo dress (flax or hemp) with a hackle; to prepare fibres of flax or hemp for spinning."Before spinning the flax into linen thread, she had to hackle it to remove the coarse parts and align the fibers. "materialagricultureprocessindustryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo separate, as the coarse part of flax or hemp from the fine, by drawing it through the teeth of a hackle or hatchel."The farmer needed to hackle the flax fibers before he could spin them into linen thread. "materialagricultureprocesstechnicalindustryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo tear asunder; to break into pieces."The frustrated artist started to hackle the clay sculpture after realizing it was unsalvageable. "actionprocessChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading