\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.
Note: 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.

\Tac"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tackled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Tackling}.] [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.