Tac″kle (?; sometimes improperly pronounced?, especially by seamen), n. [OE. takel, akin to LG. & D. takel, Dan. takkel, Sw. tackel; perhaps akin to E. taw, v.t., or to take.] 1. Apparatus for raising or lowering heavy weights, consisting of a rope and pulley blocks; sometimes, the rope and attachments, as distinct from the block.
2. Any instruments of action; an apparatus by which an object is moved or operated; gear; as, fishing tackle, hunting tackle; formerly, specifically, weapons. “She to her tackle fell.” Hudibras.
☞ In Chaucer, it denotes usually an arrow or arrows.
3. (Naut.) The rigging and apparatus of a ship; also, any purchase where more than one block is used.
Fall and tackle. See the Note under Pulley. — Fishing tackle. See under Fishing, a. — Ground tackle(Naut.), anchors, cables, etc. — Gun tackle, the apparatus or appliances for hauling cannon in or out. — Tackle fall, the rope, or rather the end of the rope, of a tackle, to which the power is applied. — Tack tackle(Naut.), a small tackle to pull down the tacks of the principal sails. — Tackle board, Tackle post(Ropemaking), a board, frame, or post, at the end of a ropewalk, for supporting the spindels, or whirls, for twisting the yarns.