1. the long, shiny feathers on the neck of a rooster or other bird
2. the hair on the back of a dog’s neck that rises when the animal is angry or alert
3. a steel comb used for separating fibers of flax or hemp
Usage: textile industry

1. to comb out fibers with a hackle
Usage: textile industry
2. to anger or irritate someone
Usage: informal

Examples

• The rooster’s colorful hackles gleamed in the sunlight.
• The dog’s hackles rose when it saw the stranger approaching.
• She used a hackle to prepare the flax fibers for spinning.
• The farmer hackled the hemp to separate the useful fibers.
• His rude comments really hackled the other guests at the party.
• The bright hackles made the bird look more impressive during mating season.
• When threatened, the cat’s fur stood up like hackles on its neck.