Hurtling
/ˈhɜːrt.lɪŋ/noun
Moving or falling very fast, often in a rough or uncontrolled way.
Did you know?Although it feels explosive, the word is ultimately tied to an old Germanic root for sudden movement, not to “hurt” in the sense of pain.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hurdōną / *hurtōną
“to thrust, dart, or rush forward”
Old English
OE
hyrtelian
“to move violently or in a jerking way”
Middle English
ME
hurtlen
“to dash, rush, or collide”
16th Century
English
hurtle
“to move with force or speed; to rush headlong”
Modern English
English
hurtling
“moving rapidly and forcefully, often uncontrollably”