English Explanatory Dictionary

tackle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A device for grasping an object and an attached means of moving it, as a rope and hook.
  2. A block and tackle.
  3. Clothing.
  4. Equipment (rod, reel, line, lure, etc.) used when angling.
  5. Equipment, gear, gadgetry.
  6. A play where a player attempts to take control over the ball from an opponent, as in rugby or football.
  7. A play where a defender brings the ball carrier to the ground.
  8. Any instance in which one person intercepts another and forces them to the ground.
  9. An offensive line position between a guard and an end: offensive tackle; a person playing that position.
  10. A defensive position between two defensive ends: defensive tackle; a person playing that position.
  11. The penis.
verb
  1. To force a person to the ground with the weight of one's own body, usually by jumping on top or slamming one's weight into them.
  2. To face or deal with, attempting to overcome or fight down.
  3. To attempt to take away a ball.
  4. To bring a ball carrier to the ground.
  5. To "hit on" or pursue a person that one is interested in.

Pronunciation

/ˈtækəl/ [ˈtʰækɫ̩] en-us-tackle.ogg

Word forms

tackle tackles tackling tackled

Etymology

From Middle English takel (“gear, apparatus”), from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German takel (“ship's rigging”), perhaps related to Middle Dutch taken (“to grasp, seize”). Akin to Danish takkel (“tackle”), Swedish tackel (“tackle”). More at take.

Synonyms

wedding tackle

Derived words

block tackle body tackle crash tackle double tackle dump tackle foretackle grapple tackle ground tackle high tackle late tackle laughing tackle luff tackle nontackle nose tackle reef-tackle relieving tackle rugby tackle scissor tackle shoestring tackle slide-tackle slide tackle sliding tackle spear tackle stay tackle stock tackle tackle block tacklebox tackle box tacklee tackle fall tackle football tackle for loss tacklehouse tackle house tackle-house tackleless tackleman tackle-porter tackle porter tackle twill tap-tackle terminal tackle untackle watch tackle wedding tackle mistackle outtackle overtackle retackle tackleable tackle on tackler untackled
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