Hurdle (?), n. [OE. hurdel, hirdel, AS. hyrdel; akin to D. horde, OHG. hurt, G. hürde a hurdle, fold, pen, Icel. hur&unr_; door, Goth. haúrds, L. cratis wickerwork, hurdle, Gr. &unr_;, Skr. k&unr_;t to spin, c&unr_;t to bind, connect. √16. Cf. Crate, Grate, n.] 1. A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for inclosing land, for folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.
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2. In England, a sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution. Bacon.
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3. An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which men or horses leap in a race.
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Hurdle race, a race in which artificial barriers in the form of hurdles, fences, etc., must be leaped.
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