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Webster 1913 Edition

Tackle

Tac′kle

(?; sometimes improperly pronounced ?, especially by seamen)
,
Noun.
[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, in which case the full appratus is referred to as a
block and tackle
.
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.
☞ 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
,
Adj.
–
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

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Tackled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Tackling
.]
[Cf. LG.
takeln
to equip. See
Tackle
,
Noun.
]
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Tackle

TACK'LE

, n.
1.
A machine for raising or lowering heavy weights, consisting of a rope and blocks, called a pulley.
2.
Instruments of action; weapons.
She to her tackle fell.
3.
An arrow.
4.
The rigging and apparatus of a ship.
Tackle-fall, the rope, or rather the end of the rope of a pulley, which falls and by which it is pulled.
Ground-tackle, anchors, cables, &c.
Gun-tackle, the instruments for hauling cannon in or out.
Tack-tackle, a small tackle to pull down the tacks of the principal sails.

TACK'LE

,
Verb.
T.
To harness; as, to tackle a horse into a gig, sleigh, coach or wagon. [A legitimate and common use of the word in America.]
1.
To seize; to lay hold of; as, a wrestler tackles his antagonist; a dog tackles the game. This is a common popular use of the word in New England, though not elegant. But it retains the primitive idea, to put on, to fall or throw on. [See Attack.]
2.
To supply with tackle.

Definition 2024

tackle

tackle

See also: tacklé

English

Noun

tackle ‎(countable and uncountable, plural tackles)

  1. (nautical) A system of ropes and blocks used to increase the force applied to the free end of the rope.
  2. (fishing, uncountable) Equipment (rod, reel, line, lure, etc.) used when angling.
  3. (uncountable, informal) By extension, any piece of equipment, particularly gadgetry.
    • 2004 June 24–30, "Jeff Gordon Never Gets Tired Of Seeing Face On Cheap Plastic Crap", The Onion, available in Embedded in America, ISBN 1400054567, page 193,
      ... an illuminated license-plate frame bearing his likeness, signature, and yellow number 24. "That there's a real nice piece of tackle. ..."
  4. (sports, countable) A play where a player attempts to take control over the ball from an opponent, as in rugby or football.
  5. (American football, rugby, countable) A play where a defender brings the ball carrier to the ground.
  6. (countable) Any instance in which one person forces another to the ground.
  7. (American football) The offensive positions between each guard and end: offensive tackle; a person playing that position.
  8. (American football) The defensive positions between two ends: defensive tackle; a person playing that position.
  9. (slang) A man's genitalia.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

tackle ‎(third-person singular simple present tackles, present participle tackling, simple past and past participle tackled)

  1. to face or deal with attempting to overcome or fight down
    The government's measures to tackle crime were insufficient.
  2. (sports) to attempt to take away a ball
  3. (American football, rugby) to bring a ball carrier to the ground
  4. (Singapore Colloquial English) to "hit on" or pursue a person (male or female) that one is interested in.
    • 2000, Florence Tan, The New Paper:
      "Singing is the oldest, most effective and productive way to tackle girls," asserted the 37-year old, affectionately known as Ah Guan at Tan Chang Ren Music Station.
    • 2003, Other Malay Ghosts:
      It takes the form of a beautiful lady and tackles young and handsome men.
    • 2009, Z Master, General Tips about Life:
      Now, now, I know you guys are being excited but remember, your feelings play the most important role to tackle a girl.
    • 2014, The Newsroom:
      Kenneth Ma claims his secret to tackling girls lies in his new and improved skin condition.

Translations

French

Pronunciation

Verb

tackle

  1. first-person singular present indicative of tackler
  2. third-person singular present indicative of tackler
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of tackler
  4. first-person singular present subjunctive of tackler
  5. second-person singular imperative of tackler

Etymology

From Middle English takel ‎(“gear, apparatus”), from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German takel ‎(“ship's rigging”), perhaps related to Middle Dutch taken ‎(“to grasp, seize”). Akin to Danish takkel ‎(“tackle”), Swedish tackel ‎(“tackle”). More at take.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈtækəl/, [ˈtʰækɫ̩]
  • Rhymes: -ækəl

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