sb. pl. Obs. rare–0. Also 6 -akles, 7 -ackels. [app. var. TENACLE, ad. L. tenāculum, modified after It. tanaglie pl. pincers, tongs:—L. tenācula.] (See quots.) Hence † Tanacle v. Obs. rare–0.
1598. Florio, Tanaglie, toongs, pincers, tanakles, mullets. Tanagliare, to torture, to pinch, to tanakle with toongs, pincers or tanakles.
1623. Cockeram, Tanackels, Pincers for tortures.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Tanacles.
1721. Bailey, Tanacles,… Instruments of Torture like Pincers.
