heckling, vbl. n.
(ˈhɛklɪŋ)
The action of heckle v.
1. The splitting and separation of the fibres of flax and hemp.
| 1495 Trevisa's Barth. De P.R. (W. de Worde) xvii. clx. 708 Wyth moche brakyng, heckelynge [MS. Bodl. hechelinge] and robbyng, hardes ben departyd fro the substaunce of hempe and of flexe. 1618 Naworth Househ. Bks. (Surtees) 93 To iij women for heckling ix dayes, ijs iij{supd}. 1863 Sir W. Fairbairn Mills II. 197 Heckling..consists in effectually completing the process commenced in scutching. |
2. Severe catechizing or cross-examination.
| 1879 Sir G. Campbell White & Black in U.S. 245 There was no opposition and no heckling. 1888 Times 10 Oct. 5/1 He underwent another severe heckling to-day before a juge d'instruction. |
3. attrib. and Comb. (from sense 1), as heckling-machine, heckling-shop, etc.
| 1842 Penny Cycl. XXII. 349/2 Machinery for spinning tow..has a different heckling apparatus. 1863 Sir W. Fairbairn Mills II. 197 Heckling machines are various, according to the quality of the flax. 1876 Smiles Sc. Natur. iii. (ed. 4) 50 The boys were first put into the heckling shop. 1894 H. Speight Nidderdale 304 Many of the old ‘heckling-mills’ are now..abandoned. |