1. the long feathers on the neck of a bird, especially a rooster or other fowl
2. the hair on the back of a person’s or animal’s neck that rises when angry or frightened
Usage: often used in the phrase ‘raise one’s heckles’

1. to interrupt a speaker with rude or aggressive comments or questions

Examples

• The rooster’s colorful heckles stood out against his dark body.
• The dog’s heckles rose when it saw the stranger approaching.
• Her heckles were up after hearing the insulting comment.
• The angry crowd began to heckle the politician during his speech.
• Security removed the man who continued to heckle the performer.
• The comedian handled the hecklers with quick wit and humor.
• Don’t let them heckle you into losing your composure.