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tack·le (tăkəl)
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n.
1. The equipment used in a particular activity, especially in fishing; gear.
2.
a. (often tākəl) Nautical A system of ropes and blocks for raising and lowering weights of rigging and pulleys for applying tension.
b. A rope and its pulley.
3. Sports
a. The act of stopping an opposing player carrying the ball, especially by forcing the opponent to the ground, as in football or rugby.
b. The act of obstructing a player in order to cause loss of possession of the ball, as in soccer.
4. Football
a. One of two offensive linemen positioned between the guard and the end on either side of the ball.
b. One of two defensive linemen positioned to the inside of either end.
c. Tackle football.
v. tack·led, tack·ling, tack·les
v. tr.
Sports
1. To grab hold of and wrestle with (an opponent).
2. Sports
a. To stop (an opponent carrying the ball), especially by forcing the opponent to the ground.
b. To obstruct (a player with the ball) in order to cause loss of possession of the ball.
3. To engage or deal with: tackle a perplexing problem.
4. To harness (a horse).
v. intr.
Sports
To tackle an opponent in possession of the ball.
[Middle English takel, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German ; akin to perhaps akin to Middle Dutch taken, to seize, grasp.]
tackler n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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