Definition of hurl

The origin of the word "hurl" dates back to the Old English language, around 950-1050 AD. The Old English word for "hurl" was "hrulan", which was derived from the Old Norse word "hryl", meaning "loudly to cry". The Old English word "hrulan" originally referred to the act of crying out loudly in order to intimidate or frighten an opponent in combat. In battle, the word "hrulan" would have been used to describe the loud cries and yells made by warriors as they charged at their enemy. Over time, the meaning of "hrulan" in Old English evolved to refer specifically to the act of throwing something forcefully, usually a weapon or object. The word became "herlan" in Middle English, and eventually changed to "hurl" in Modern English. The modern meaning of "hurl" has expanded to include the forceful throwing of a variety of objects, from sports equipment like baseballs and javelins, to more everyday items like bags or boxes. The use of the word "hurl" to describe the act of throwing something with force and precision has continued to be a part of English vocabulary for many centuries.