I. ˈta-kəl, naut often ˈtā- noun
Etymology: Middle English takel; akin to Middle Dutch takel ship's rigging
Date: 13th century
1. : a set of the equipment used in a particular activity : gear
fishing tackle
2.
a. : a ship's rigging
b. : an assemblage of ropes and pulleys arranged to gain mechanical advantage for hoisting and pulling
3.
a. : the act or an instance of tackling
b.
(1) : either of two offensive football players positioned on each side of the center and between guard and end
(2) : either of two football players positioned on the inside of a defensive line
[
tackle 2b
]
II. verb
( tack·led ; tack·ling -k(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 1600
transitive verb
1. : to attach or secure with or as if with tackle
2.
a. : to seize, take hold of, or grapple with especially with the intention of stopping or subduing
b. : to seize and throw down or stop (an opposing player with the ball) in football
3. : to set about dealing with
tackle the problem
intransitive verb
: to tackle an opposing player in football
• tack·ler -k(ə-)lər noun