Hackling

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Hackle \Hac"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hackled} (h[a^]k"k'ld);
     p. pr. & vb. n. {Hackling} (h[a^]k"kl[i^]ng).]
     1. To separate, as the coarse part of flax or hemp from the
        fine, by drawing it through the teeth of a hackle or
        hatchel.
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     2. To tear asunder; to break in pieces.
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              The other divisions of the kingdom being hackled and
              torn to pieces.                       --Burke.
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