Dictionary definitions
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heckle
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Hatchel \Hatch"el\ (-[e^]l; 277), n. [OE. hechele, hekele; akin to D. hekel, G. hechel, Dan. hegle, Sw. h[aum]kla, and prob. to E. hook. See Hook, and cf. Hackle, Heckle.] An instrument with long iron teeth set in a board, for cleansing flax or hemp from the tow, hards, or coarse part; a kind of large comb; -- called also hackle and heckle. [1913 Webster] .
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Heckle \Hec"kle\, n. & v. t. Same as Hackle. [1913 Webster] .
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Heckle \Hec"kle\, v. t.
1. To interrogate, or ply with questions, esp. with severity
or antagonism, as a candidate for the ministry.
Robert bore heckling, however, with great patience
and adroitness. --Mrs. Humphry
Ward.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
2. To shout questions or jibes at (a public speaker), so as
to disconcert him or render his talk ineffective.
[PJC]

