Background for hackle

hackle

/ˈhækəl/

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noun

An instrument with steel pins used to comb out flax or hemp.

Examples :

"The farmer used the hackle to comb out the tangled hemp fibers. "

utensil agriculture material

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noun

(usually now in the plural) One of the long, narrow feathers on the neck of birds, most noticeable on the rooster.

Examples :

"The rooster's hackles stood on end as the farmer approached. "

bird animal biology part

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noun

A feather used to make a fishing lure or a fishing lure incorporating a feather.

Examples :

"My grandfather carefully tied a bright red hackle to his fishing hook, hoping to attract a trout. "

fish animal item

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noun

(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.

Examples :

"When the dog got angry, his hackles rose and he growled."

animal body physiology anatomy human emotion

Illustration hackle - Image 1

noun

A plate with rows of pointed needles used to blend or straighten hair.

Examples :

"The wigmaker carefully ran the coarse horsehair through the hackle to straighten it before weaving it into the wig. "

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noun

A feather plume on some soldier's uniforms, especially the hat or helmet.

Examples :

"The soldier's uniform was adorned with a vibrant red hackle on his helmet. "

military wear appearance

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noun

Any flimsy substance unspun, such as raw silk.

Examples :

"The weaver used the raw hackle to begin the silk tapestry. "

material substance

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verb

To dress (flax or hemp) with a hackle; to prepare fibres of flax or hemp for spinning.

Examples :

"Before spinning the flax into linen thread, she had to hackle it to remove the coarse parts and align the fibers. "

material agriculture process industry

Illustration hackle - Image 1

verb

To separate, as the coarse part of flax or hemp from the fine, by drawing it through the teeth of a hackle or hatchel.

Examples :

"The farmer needed to hackle the flax fibers before he could spin them into linen thread. "

material agriculture process technical industry

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verb

To tear asunder; to break into pieces.

Examples :

"The frustrated artist started to hackle the clay sculpture after realizing it was unsalvageable. "