heckle

== English == === Etymology === Transferred usage of Middle English hekelen (“to comb flax or hemp with a heckle”), from hekele (“a comb for flax or hemp”), from Middle Dutch hekelen (“to prickle, irritate”), from Proto-West Germanic *hakilōn, from Proto-Germanic *hakilōną, related to *hakô (“hook”). Related to hackle. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈhɛkəl/, [ˈhɛkəl] ~ [ˈhɛkl̩] Rhymes: -ɛkəl Hyphenation: heck‧le === Verb === heckle (third-person singular simple present heckles, present participle heckling, simple past and past participle heckled) (transitive) To question harshly in an attempt to find or reveal weaknesses. [from later 18th c.] Synonyms: grill, interrogate (transitive) To insult, tease, make fun of or badger, especially during a comedy performance. Synonyms: barrack; see also Thesaurus:heckle (textiles) To prepare (flax) for spinning, using special combs called hackles. Synonym: hackle ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === heckle (plural heckles) Alternative form of hackle (“tool for separating flax”). The long shining feathers on a cock's neck. A feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments. An rude interruption during a show, especially a comedy performance === Anagrams === Heckel