TACKLE
tackle
(noun) (American football) grasping an opposing player with the intention of stopping by throwing to the ground
tackle
(noun) (American football) a position on the line of scrimmage; “it takes a big man to play tackle”
rigging, tackle
(noun) gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship’s masts and sails
tackle
(noun) the person who plays that position on a football team; “the right tackle is a straight A student”
tackle
(verb) seize and throw down an opponent player, who usually carries the ball
harness, tackle
(verb) put a harness; “harness the horse”
undertake, tackle, take on
(verb) accept as a challenge; “I’ll tackle this difficult task”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
tackle (countable and uncountable, plural tackles)
A device for grasping an object and an attached means of moving it, as a rope and hook.
A block and tackle.
(fishing, uncountable) Equipment (rod, reel, line, lure, etc.) used when angling.
(uncountable, informal, by extension) equipment, gear, gadgetry.
(sports, countable) A play where a player attempts to take control over the ball from an opponent, as in rugby or football.
(rugby, American football, countable) A play where a defender brings the ball carrier to the ground.
(countable) Any instance in which one person intercepts another and forces them to the ground.
(American football) An offensive line position between a guard and an end: offensive tackle; a person playing that position.
(American football) A defensive position between two defensive ends: defensive tackle; a person playing that position.
(slang) A man's genitalia.
Verb
tackle (third-person singular simple present tackles, present participle tackling, simple past and past participle tackled)
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 him or her.
To face or deal with, attempting to overcome or fight down.
(sports) To attempt to take away a ball.
(rugby, American football) To bring a ball carrier to the ground.
(Singapore, colloquial) To "hit on" or pursue a person that one is interested in.
Source: Wiktionary
Tac"kle (; sometimes improperly pronounced , especially by seamen),
n. Etym: [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.
Note: In Chaucer, it denotes usually an arrow or arrows.
3. (Naut.)
Definition: 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.
Tac"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tackled; p. pr. & vb. n. Tackling.]
Etym: [Cf. LG. takeln to equip. See Tackle, n.]
1. To supply with tackle. Beau. & Fl.
2. To fasten or attach, as with a tackle; to harness; as, to tackle a
horse into a coach or wagon. [Colloq.]
3. To seize; to lay hold of; to grapple; as, a wrestler tackles his
antagonist; a dog tackles the game.
The greatest poetess of our day has wasted her time and strength in
tackling windmills under conditions the most fitted to insure her
defeat. Dublin Univ. Mag.
Definition: To begin to deal with; as, to tackle the problem.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition