block and tackle

block and tackle
Tackle 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, in which case the full appratus is referred to as a {block and tackle}. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Note: In Chaucer, it denotes usually an arrow or arrows. [1913 Webster]

3. (Naut.) The rigging and apparatus of a ship; also, any purchase where more than one block is used. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • block and tackle — ► NOUN ▪ a lifting mechanism consisting of ropes, a pulley block, and a hook …   English terms dictionary

  • block and tackle — n [C usually singular] a piece of equipment with wheels and ropes, used for lifting heavy things …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • block and tackle — noun count usually singular a piece of equipment that consists of wheels and ropes, used for lifting heavy objects …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • block and tackle — n. an arrangement of one or more pulley blocks, with rope or cables, providing significant mechanical advantage for pulling or hoisting large, heavy objects …   English World dictionary

  • Block and tackle — A block and tackle [ Tackle can be pronEng|ˈteɪkəl in this usage.] is a system of two or more pulleys with a rope or cable threaded between them, usually used to lift or pull heavy loads. TOC Overview Although used in many situations, they are… …   Wikipedia

  • block and tackle — Pulley Pul ley, n.; pl. {Pulleys}. [F. poulie, perhaps of Teutonic origin (cf. {Poll}, v. t.); but cf. OE. poleine, polive, pulley, LL. polanus, and F. poulain, properly, a colt, fr. L. pullus young animal, foal (cf. {Pullet}, {Foal}). For the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • block and tackle — the ropes or chains and blocks used in a hoisting tackle. [1830 40] * * * Combination of pulleys with a rope or cable, commonly used to augment pulling force. Two or more of the pulleys are attached to a fixed block, and the remaining pulleys are …   Universalium

  • block and tackle — noun pulley blocks with associated rope or cable • Hypernyms: ↑hoist • Part Meronyms: ↑pulley, ↑pulley block, ↑pulley block, ↑block * * * noun [singular] : a simple machine that is used to help lift heavy objects and that consists of rope and… …   Useful english dictionary

  • block and tackle — UK / US noun [countable, usually singular] Word forms block and tackle : singular block and tackle plural blocks and tackles a piece of equipment that consists of wheels and ropes, used for lifting heavy objects …   English dictionary

  • block and tackle — block′ and tack′le n. bui the ropes or chains and blocks used in a hoisting tackle • Etymology: 1830–40 …   From formal English to slang

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