v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Hackled p. pr. & vb. n. Hackling ]1. To separate, as the coarse part of flax or hemp from the fine, by drawing it through the teeth of a hackle or hatchel. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To tear asunder; to break in pieces. [ 1913 Webster ]
The other divisions of the kingdom being hackled and torn to pieces. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ See Heckle, and cf. Hatchel. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
1. A comb for dressing flax, raw silk, etc.; a hatchel. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Any flimsy substance unspun, as raw silk. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. One of the peculiar, long, narrow feathers on the neck of fowls, most noticeable on the cock, -- often used in making artificial flies; hence, any feather so used. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. An artificial fly for angling, made of feathers. [ 1913 Webster ]