Hurdle
/ˈhɜːr.dəl/noun
A barrier to be jumped over, or an obstacle that slows progress.
Did you know?The word goes back to a Germanic root for a fence or lattice, and in older English it could mean both a physical barrier and a movable frame used to block or pen things in.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ker-
“to bend, turn, or make a framework”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hurdą
“a hurdle, fence, or woven barrier”
Old English
OE
hyrdel
“a hurdle; a small gate or barrier made of interwoven sticks”
Middle English
ME
hurdel
“a portable fence or barrier; also a frame for enclosing animals”
Modern English
English
hurdle
“a barrier or obstacle, especially one to be jumped over”