Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Hurdle
Hur′dle
,Noun.
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.
Hur′dle
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Hurdleed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Hurdleing
.] To hedge, cover, make, or inclose with hurdles.
Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Hurdle
HUR'DLE
,Noun.
1.
A texture of twigs, osiers or sticks; a crate of various forms, according to its destination. The English give this name to a sled or crate on which criminals are drawn to the place of execution. In this sense, it is not used in America.2.
In fortification, a collection of twigs or sticks interwoven closely and sustained by long stakes. It is made in the figure of a long square, five or six feet by three and a half. Hurdles serve to render works firm, or to cover traverses and lodgments for the defense of workmen against fire-works or stones.3.
In husbandry, a frame of split timber or sticks wattled together, serving for gates, inclosures, &c.Definition 2024
hurdle
hurdle
English
Noun
hurdle (plural hurdles)
- An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race (for example the 100 metres hurdles).
- A perceived obstacle.
- A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for enclosing land, for folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.
- 1882, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, Volume 4, page 414.
- The practice of folding sheep was general, and the purchase of hurdles was a regular charge in the shepherd's account.
- 1882, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, Volume 4, page 414.
- (Britain, obsolete) A sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.
- 1550, Francis Bacon, A Preparation Toward the Union of Laws, in The Works of Francis Bacon, edited by James Spedding, Robert Leslie Ellis, and Douglas Denon Heath, London: Longman, Green & Co., Vol. VII, p. 735,
- In treason, the corporal punishment is by drawing on hurdle from the place of the prison to the place of execution, and by hanging and being cut down alive, bowelling, and quartering: and in women by burning.
- 1855, Matthew Arnold, Balder Dead, Part II, in The Poems of Matthew Arnold, 1840-1867, Oxford University Press, 1909, pp. 250-51,
- Behind flock'd wrangling up a piteous crew, / Greeted of none, disfeatur'd and forlorn— / Cowards, who were in sloughs interr'd alive: / And round them still the wattled hurdles hung / Wherewith they stamp'd them down, and trod them deep, / To hide their shameful memory from men.
- 1550, Francis Bacon, A Preparation Toward the Union of Laws, in The Works of Francis Bacon, edited by James Spedding, Robert Leslie Ellis, and Douglas Denon Heath, London: Longman, Green & Co., Vol. VII, p. 735,
- (T-flapping) Misspelling of hurtle.
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:hindrance
Translations
artificial barrier over which people or horses jump in a race
perceived obstacle
movable frame of wattled twigs
Verb
hurdle (third-person singular simple present hurdles, present participle hurdling, simple past and past participle hurdled)
- To jump over something while running.
- He hurdled the bench in his rush to get away.
- To compete in the track and field events of hurdles (e.g. high hurdles).
- To overcome an obstacle.
- To hedge, cover, make, or enclose with hurdles.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Milton to this entry?)
- (T-flapping) Misspelling of hurtle.