I. ˈhər-d ə l noun
Etymology: Middle English hurdel, from Old English hyrdel; akin to Old High German hurt hurdle, Latin cratis wickerwork, hurdle
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a portable panel usually of wattled withes and stakes used especially for enclosing land or livestock
b. : a frame or sled formerly used in England for dragging traitors to execution
2.
a. : an artificial barrier over which racers must leap
b. plural : any of various track events in which a series of hurdles must be surmounted
3. : barrier , obstacle
[
hurdle 2a
]
II. transitive verb
( hur·dled ; hur·dling ˈhərd-liŋ, ˈhər-d ə l-iŋ)
Date: 1896
1. : to leap over especially while running (as in a sporting competition)
2. : overcome , surmount
• hur·dler ˈhərd-lər, ˈhər-d ə l-ər noun