v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Hackled p. pr. & vb. n. Hackling ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To tear asunder; to break in pieces. [ 1913 Webster ]

The other divisions of the kingdom being hackled and torn to pieces. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Heckle, and cf. Hatchel. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A comb for dressing flax, raw silk, etc.; a hatchel. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any flimsy substance unspun, as raw silk. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One of the peculiar, long, narrow feathers on the neck of fowls, most noticeable on the cock, -- often used in making artificial flies; hence, any feather so used. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An artificial fly for angling, made of feathers. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Hackle. ] 1. Rough or broken, as if hacked. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Min.) Having fine, short, and sharp points on the surface; as, the hackly fracture of metallic iron. [ 1913 Webster ]