n.
Pronunciation: ' ha-k ə l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English hakell; akin to Old High German h ā ko hook ― more at HOOK
Date: 15th century
1 a : one of the long narrow feathers on the neck or saddle of a bird b : the neck plumage of the domestic fowl
2 : a comb or board with long metal teeth for dressing flax, hemp, or jute
3 plural a : erectile hairs along the neck and back especially of a dog b : TEMPER , DANDER <the issue raised some hackle s >
4 a : an artificial fishing fly made chiefly of the filaments of a cock's neck feathers b : filaments of cock feather projecting from the head of an artificial fly