heck 1
/hek/ , interj.
1. (used as a mild expression of annoyance, rejection, disgust, etc.): What the heck do you care?
n.
2. something remarkable of its kind (usually used in the phrase heck of a ): That was a heck of an impressive speech. Have one heck of a good time.
3. as heck (used as a mild intensifier): I say he's guilty as heck.
[ 1850-55; euphemistic alter. of HELL ]
heck 2
/hek/ , n.
1. a comblike attachment on a loom, for guiding the warp threads as they are dressed for the warp beam.
2. a device that guides yarn onto the bobbin of a spinning wheel.
3. a gridlike arrangement of glass or metal rods below the hooks on a Jacquard loom, used for lifting all harness eyes equally or evenly.
[ 1300-50; ME hekke, OE hecc, var. of haecc HATCH 2 ]