Tackle

(tăk'l), n. [L. Ger. & D. takel, Dan. takkel, Sw. tackel, allied to Goth. tahjan, Icel. taka, Eng. take.]

1Sense 1. A machine for raising or lowering heavy weights, consisting of a rope and blocks, called a pulley, or the rope and attachments as distinct from the block.

2Sense 2. Instruments of action; weapons.

She to her tackle fell. Hudibras.

3Sense 3. An arrow. [Obs.] Chaucer.

4Sense 4. (Naut.) The rigging and apparatus of a ship.

Ground-tackle (Naut.), anchors, cables, and the like. — Gun-tackle, the apparatus or instruments for hauling cannon in or out. — Tackle-fall, the rope, or rather the end of the rope, of a pulley, which falls and by which it is pulled. — Tack-tackle, a small tackle to pull down the tacks of the principal sails.

☞ Sometimes improperly pronounced ta'kle, especially by seamen.

(tăk'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. TACKLED; p. pr. & vb. n. TACKLING.] [L. Ger. takeln, to fit out, equip. See supra.]

1Sense 1. To supply with tackle. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

2Sense 2. To harness; as, to tackle a horse into a gig, sleigh, coach, or wagon. [Prov. Eng. Colloq. U. S.]

3Sense 3. To seize; to lay hold of; 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.