nounπShareAn instrument with steel pins used to comb out flax or hemp."The farmer used the heckle to separate the flax fibers. "utensilagriculturemachineChat 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 puffed out its chest, displaying its vibrant red and gold heckle. "birdanimalbodypartChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA feather used to make a fishing lure or a fishing lure incorporating a feather."The fisherman carefully tied the bright red heckle to his fishing line. "fishutensilChat 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."animalbodyphysiologyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA plate with rows of pointed needles used to blend or straighten hair."My grandmother used a special heckle to straighten her granddaughter's unruly hair. "utensilmachineitemChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA feather plume on some soldier's uniforms, especially the hat or helmet."The Scottish soldier's bonnet was adorned with a vibrant red heckle. "militarywearappearanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAny flimsy substance unspun, such as raw silk."The weaver used the raw heckle to begin the silk-weaving process. "materialsubstanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe long shining feathers on a cock's neck."The rooster's vibrant red heckle caught the morning sunlight. "animalbirdpartChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments."The Highland regiment's officer wore a fine heckle on his bonnet. "appearancewearmilitarycultureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo question harshly in an attempt to find or reveal weaknesses."The teacher was heckled by students during the presentation, questioning his methods and challenging his claims about the new math curriculum. "communicationentertainmentpoliticsactionmediaChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo insult, tease, make fun of or badger."The audience members heckled the comedian relentlessly during his stand-up routine. "communicationentertainmentactionsocietyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo prepare flax for spinning using special combs called hackles"The farmer used special combs to heckle the flax before spinning it into thread. "agriculturematerialprocessworkChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
