— hurdler , n.
/herr"dl/ , n. , v. , hurdled, hurdling .
n.
1. a portable barrier over which contestants must leap in certain running races, usually a wooden frame with a hinged inner frame that swings down under impact to prevent injury to a runner who does not clear it.
2. hurdles , ( used with a sing. v. ) a race in which contestants must leap over a number of such barriers placed at specific intervals around the track. Cf. high hurdles, low hurdles .
3. any of various vertical barriers, as a hedge, low wall, or section of fence, over which horses must jump in certain types of turf races, as a steeplechase, but esp. an artificial barrier.
4. a difficult problem to be overcome; obstacle.
5. Chiefly Brit. a movable rectangular frame of interlaced twigs, crossed bars, or the like, as for a temporary fence.
6. a frame or sled on which criminals, esp. traitors, were formerly drawn to the place of execution.
v.t.
7. to leap over (a hurdle, barrier, fence, etc.), as in a race.
8. to master (a difficulty, problem, etc.); overcome.
9. to construct with hurdles; enclose with hurdles.
v.i.
10. to leap over a hurdle or other barrier.
[ bef. 900; ME hirdel, hurdel (n.), OE hyrdel, equiv. to hyrd- + -el n. suffix; cf. G Hürde hurdle; akin to L cratis hurdle, wickerwork, Gk kýrtos basket, cage, Skt krt spin ]