Hur"dle (?), n. [OE. hurdel, hirdel, AS. hyrdel; akin to D. horde, OHG. hurt, G. hurde a hurdle, fold, pen, Icel. hur door, Goth. ha�xa3;rds, L. cratis wickerwork, hurdle, Gr. , Skr. kt to spin, ct to bind, connect. &root;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.
2.
In England, a sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.
Bacon.
3.
An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which men or horses leap in a race.
Hurdle race, a race in which artificial barriers in the form of hurdles, fences, etc., must be leaped.
© Webster 1913.
Hur"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hurdleed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hurdleing (?).]
To hedge, cover, make, or inclose with hurdles.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.