Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Tackle?

\Tac"kle\ (?; sometimes improperly pronounced ?, especially by seamen), n. [OE. takel, akin to LG. & D. takel, Dan. takkel, Sw. tackel; perhaps akin to E. taw, v.t., or to take.] 1. Apparatus for raising or lowering heavy weights, consisting of a rope and pulley blocks; sometimes, the rope and attachments, as distinct from the block. 2. Any instruments of action; an apparatus by which an object is moved or operated; gear; as, fishing tackle, hunting tackle; formerly, specifically, weapons. ``She to her tackle fell.'' --Hudibras. Note: In Chaucer, it denotes usually an arrow or arrows. 3. (Naut.) The rigging and apparatus of a ship; also, any purchase where more than one block is used. {Fall and tackle}. See the Note under {Pulley}. {Fishing tackle}. See under {Fishing}, a. {Ground tackle} (Naut.), anchors, cables, etc. {Gun tackle}, the apparatus or appliances for hauling cannon in or out. {Tackle fall}, the rope, or rather the end of the rope, of a tackle, to which the power is applied. {Tack tackle} (Naut.), a small tackle to pull down the tacks of the principal sails. {Tackle board}, {Tackle post} (Ropemaking), a board, frame, or post, at the end of a ropewalk, for supporting the spindels, or whirls, for twisting the yarns.
\Tac"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tackled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Tackling}.] [Cf. LG. takeln to equip. See {Tackle}, n.] 1. To supply with tackle. --Beau. & Fl. 2. To fasten or attach, as with a tackle; to harness; as, to tackle a horse into a coach or wagon. [Colloq.] 3. To seize; to lay hold of; to grapple; as, a wrestler tackles his antagonist; a dog tackles the game. The greatest poetess of our day has wasted her time and strength in tackling windmills under conditions the most fitted to insure her defeat. --Dublin Univ. Mag.