Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tackle \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.

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.

   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.

Source : WordNet®

tackle
     n 1: the person who plays that position on a football team; "the
          right tackle is a straight A student"
     2: gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and
        sails [syn: {rigging}]
     3: gear used in fishing [syn: {fishing gear}, {fishing tackle},
         {fishing rig}, {rig}]
     4: a position on the line of scrimmage; "it takes a big man to
        play tackle"
     5: (American football) grasping an opposing player with the
        intention of stopping by throwing to the ground

tackle
     v 1: accept as a challenge; "I'll tackle this difficult task"
          [syn: {undertake}, {take on}]
     2: put a harness; "harness the horse" [syn: {harness}] [ant: {unharness}]
     3: seize and throw down an opponent player, who usually carries
        the ball