tackle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtak(ə)l/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] the equipment required for a task or sport: fishing tackle
  • (also wedding tackle) British vulgar slang a man’s genitals.
  • 2a mechanism consisting of ropes, pulley blocks, hooks, or other things for lifting heavy objects.
  • the running rigging and pulleys used to work a boat’s sails.
  • 3 Soccer & Hockey an act of playing the ball, or attempting to do so, when it is in the possession of an opponent: he was only prevented from scoring by a fine tackle
  • American Football & Rugby an act of seizing and attempting to stop a player in possession of the ball.
  • 4 American Football a player who lines up next to the end along the line of scrimmage.

verb

[with object]
  • 1make determined efforts to deal with (a problem or difficult task): police have launched an initiative to tackle rising crime
  • initiate discussion with (someone) about a disputed or sensitive issue: a young man tackled him over why the council had spent money on a swimming pool
  • 2 Soccer & Hockey try to take the ball from (an opponent) by intercepting them: the first scoring chance came when Orrell tackled Webb [no object]: he tackled well and covered expertly
  • American Football & Rugby try to stop the forward progress of (the ball carrier) by seizing them and knocking them to the ground: (as noun tackling) the rules state that there must be no pressure scrums or tough tackling

Derivatives

tackler

noun

Origin:

Middle English (denoting equipment for a specific task): probably from Middle Low German takel, from taken 'lay hold of'. Early senses of the verb (late Middle English) described the provision and handling of a ship's equipment