Definition of hurtle

The word "hurtle" first appeared in Middle English around the 1300s, and its origins can be traced back to the Old Norse word "hruthla," which meant "rolled object" or "log floating downstream." The Norse word is believed to have been borrowed by the Old English language, as England was under Norse rule during the 9th century. The Old English word "hyrðlan" was formed, which meant "to roll or hurl" and was also used to describe the movement of rivers and rapids. As English evolved, the word "hyrðlan" transformed into "hurtlen" in Middle English, and eventually, the modern-day word "hurtle" was formed. Today, the word is primarily used to describe something moving quickly or violently, such as a bobsled hurtling down an ice track or a car careening around a corner. It also has a figurative meaning, such as "hurtling towards deadline" to indicate a sense of urgency. Interestingly, the word "hurtle" is related to the Yiddish word "hurtlen," which also means "to roll" or "to tumble." The Yiddish language, which originated in medieval Eastern Europe, is believed to have borrowed the word from Middle High German, where it had been adopted from Old Norse. This showing of the lineage of the word further highlights the linguistic influences that have helped shape the English language over time.