Where does “hurdle” come from?
Hurdle comes from Middle English hurdel, from Old English hyrdel, diminutive of Old English hyrd, from Proto-Germanic hurdiz, from Proto-Indo-European kr̥h₂tis, derived from the root kreh₂-.
hurdle (English): An artificial barrier, variously constructed,...
Definitions
- An artificial barrier, variously constructed,...
Ancestry of “hurdle”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | hurdel | Alternative form of hirdel |
| 2 | Old English | hyrdel | a frame made of intertwined twigs or bars; hurdle |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | hurdiz | wickerwork door or frame, hurdle |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | kr̥h₂tis | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | kreh₂- | — |
Words derived from “hurdle”