I. ˈtakəl, by seamen often ˈtāk- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English takel; akin to Middle Low German & Middle Dutch takel ship's rigging, and perhaps to English tack (I)
1. : a collection, set, or complement of the equipment, apparatus, or materials designed for use in a particular activity : paraphernalia , gear
sports tackle was rationed — Tom Clarke
so undignified, using father's shaving tackle — Dodie Smith
as
a. : equipment for fishing
b. : an archer's equipment
c. : harness for a horse
2.
a. : a ship's rigging ; specifically : a ship's purchase (as an arrangement of lines and blocks) in which the line runs through more than one block
b. : an assemblage of ropes and pulleys arranged to gain mechanical advantage for hoisting and pulling : purchase 4a(2) — compare burton 1; see pulley illustration
3.
[ tackle (II) ]
a. : the act or an instance of tackling
he made key tackles and ran to several first downs — New York Times
b. : one of two players on each side of the center and between guard and end in the line in football
played as right tackle early in the season and left tackle in later games
Synonyms: see equipment
[s]tackle.jpg[/s] [
tackle 2b
]
II. verb
( tackled ; tackled ; tackling -k(ə)liŋ ; tackles )
transitive verb
1.
a. : to attach or secure with or as if with tackle ; specifically : harness — often used with up
tackle the horse up for plowing
b. : to harness a horse to (as a coach)
2.
a. : to seize, take hold of, or grapple with especially with the intention of stopping or subduing
a wrestler tackles his opponent
dive in and tackle the creature — American Guide Series: Florida
b. : to seize and throw down or stop (an opposing player with the ball) in United States or rugby football
tackled the ball carrier and brought him down a yard from the goal line
c. : to obstruct or interfere with (an opponent dribbling or playing the ball) so as to bring about loss of possession of the ball (as in soccer or field hockey)
3.
a. : to set about dealing with (as a difficult problem or a formidable task) : come to grips with : take on
tackle the problem of disarmament — Gordon Dean
tackle a steep ascent that lay before me — R.L.Stevenson
b. : to approach (a person) especially with the expectation of encountering hostility or resistance
planned to tackle the boss for a raise
proceeded to tackle him on the subject — Irish Digest
c. : to attack (food)
the most elaborate dinner I ever tackled — W.A.White
intransitive verb
: to tackle an opposing player (as in football)