Main Entry: ¹hur·dle

Pronunciation: \ˈhər-d^əl\

Function: 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 illustration]