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Hurdle

 - 3 dictionary results
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hur⋅dle

  [hur-dl] noun, verb, -dled, -dling.
Use Hurdle in a Sentence
–noun
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 singular verb) a race in which contestants must leap over a number of such barriers placed at specific intervals around the track. Compare 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 British. 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.
–verb (used with object)
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.
–verb (used without object)
10. to leap over a hurdle or other barrier.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME hirdel, hurdel (n.), OE hyrdel, equiv. to hyrd- + -el n. suffix; cf. G Hürde hurdle; akin to L crātis hurdle, wickerwork, Gk kýrtos basket, cage, Skt kṛt spin

Related forms:
hurdler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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www.TrackOutlet.com
hur·dle   (hûr'dl)   
n.  

  1. Sports

    1. A light portable barrier over which competitors must leap in certain races.

    2. hurdles A race in which a series of such barriers must be jumped without the competitors' breaking their stride.

    3. A leaping step made off one foot as means of maximizing spring at the end of an approach, as to a dive.

  2. An obstacle or difficulty to be overcome: the last hurdle before graduation.

  3. Chiefly British A portable framework made of intertwined branches or wattle and used for temporary fencing.

  4. Chiefly British A frame or sledge on which condemned persons were dragged to execution.

v.   hur·dled, hur·dling, hur·dles

v.   tr.

  1. To leap over (a barrier) in or as if in a race.

  2. To overcome or deal with successfully; surmount: hurdle a problem.

v.   intr.
To leap over a barrier or other obstacle.

[Middle English hurdel, portable panel for temporary fences, from Old English hyrdel.]
hur'dler n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

hurdle 
O.E. hyrdel "frame of intertwined twigs used as a temporary barrier," dim. of hyrd "door," from P.Gmc. *khurdis (cf. Ger. Hürde "hurdle, fold, pen;" O.N. hurð, Goth. haurds "door"), from PIE *krtis (cf. L. cratis "hurdle, wickerwork," Gk. kartalos "a kind of basket," kyrtos "fishing creel"), from base *qrt- "to weave, twist together" (cf. Skt. krt "to spin"). Sense of "barrier to jump in a race" first recorded 1833; figurative sense of "obstacle" is 1924.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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