[{"word":"heckle","phonetic":"/ˈhɛkəl/","phonetics":[{"text":"/ˈhɛkəl/","audio":""}],"meanings":[{"partOfSpeech":"noun","definitions":[{"definition":"An instrument with steel pins used to comb out flax or hemp.","synonyms":["hatchel","heckle"],"antonyms":[]},{"definition":"(usually now in the plural) One of the long, narrow feathers on the neck of birds, most noticeable on the rooster.","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]},{"definition":"A feather used to make a fishing lure or a fishing lure incorporating a feather.","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]},{"definition":"(usually now in the plural) By extension (because the hackles of a rooster are lifted when it is angry), the hair on the nape of the neck in dogs and other animals; also used figuratively for humans.","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[],"example":"When the dog got angry, his hackles rose and he growled."},{"definition":"A plate with rows of pointed needles used to blend or straighten hair.","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]},{"definition":"A feather plume on some soldier's uniforms, especially the hat or helmet.","synonyms":["panache","plume"],"antonyms":[]},{"definition":"Any flimsy substance unspun, such as raw silk.","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]}],"synonyms":["hatchel","heckle","panache","plume"],"antonyms":[]},{"partOfSpeech":"noun","definitions":[{"definition":"The long shining feathers on a cock's neck.","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]},{"definition":"A feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments.","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]}],"synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]},{"partOfSpeech":"verb","definitions":[{"definition":"To question harshly in an attempt to find or reveal weaknesses.","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]},{"definition":"To insult, tease, make fun of or badger.","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[],"example":"Promise that you won't heckle me after my performance."},{"definition":"To prepare flax for spinning using special combs called hackles","synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]}],"synonyms":[],"antonyms":[]}],"license":{"name":"CC BY-SA 3.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0"},"sourceUrls":["https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hackle","https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/heckle"]}]