Hypertext Webster Gateway: "hurdle"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Hurdle \Hur"dle\, n. [OE. hurdel, hirdel, AS. hyrdel; akin to D.
horde, OHG. hurt, G. h["u]rde a hurdle, fold, pen, Icel. hur?
door, Goth. ha['u]rds, L. cratis wickerwork, hurdle, Gr. ?,
Skr. k?t to spin, c?t to bind, connect. [root]16. Cf.
{Crate}, {Grate}, n.]
1. A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and
stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for inclosing land, for
folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in
fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.
2. In England, a sled or crate on which criminals were
formerly drawn to the place of execution. --Bacon.
3. An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which
men or horses leap in a race.
{Hurdle race}, a race in which artificial barriers in the
form of hurdles, fences, etc., must be leaped.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Hurdle \Hur"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hurdleed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Hurdleing}.]
To hedge, cover, make, or inclose with hurdles. --Milton.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
hurdle
n 1: a light movable barrier that competitors must leap over in
certain races
2: an obstacle that you are expected to overcome; "the last
hurdle before graduation"
3: the act of vaulting [syn: {vault}]
v : jump a hurdle
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