n.
-
(hackles)
erectile hairs along an animal's back, which rise when it is angry or alarmed.
- a long, narrow feather on the neck or saddle of a domestic cock or other bird.
- Fishing a feather wound around a fishing fly so that its filaments are splayed out.
- a bunch of feathers in a military headdress.
- a steel comb for dressing flax.
v.
dress (flax) with a hackle.
Phrase
- make someone's hackles rise
make someone angry or indignant.
Etymology
ME: var. of obs. hatchel, of W. Gmc origin.
