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

  1. An artificial barrier, variously constructed,...

Ancestry of “hurdle”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishhurdelAlternative form of hirdel
2Old Englishhyrdela frame made of intertwined twigs or bars; hurdle
3Proto-Germanichurdizwickerwork door or frame, hurdle
4Proto-Indo-Europeankr̥h₂tis—
5Proto-Indo-Europeankreh₂-—

Words derived from “hurdle”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European kreh₂- →
hurdle — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer