heckle

Meaning

Verb

1. To question harshly in an attempt to find or reveal weaknesses.
2. To insult, tease, make fun of or badger, especially during a comedy performance.
3. To prepare flax for spinning using special combs called hackles

Noun

1. Alternative form of hackle (“tool for separating flax”)
2. The long shining feathers on a cock's neck.
3. A feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments.
4. An interruption during a show, especially a comedy performance

Synonyms

hatchel

interrupt

catcall

boo

jeer

annoy

hackle

hoot

bother

bait

ridicule

disturb

fret

harangue

harass

hex

hiss

incommode

inconvenience

infest

interfere

interject

intrude

irk

ken

lecture

molest

pester

pother

trouble

whistle

chime in

grate on

jar on

admonish

put in one’s oar

ail

apostrophize

badger

🦡

barrack

bedevil

berate

butt in

comb

derange

discommode

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhɛkəl/

Etymology

Transferred usage of Middle English hekelen (“to comb flax or hemp with a heckle”), from hekele (“a comb for flax or hemp”), from Middle Dutch hekelen (“to prickle, irritate”), from Proto-Germanic *hakilōną, related to *hakô (“hook”). Related to hackle.