hurtle Meaning, Definition & Usage

Hur"tle intransitive verb

Etymology

OE. hurtlen, freq. of hurten. See Hurt, v. t., and cf. Hurl.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Hurtled ; present participle & verbal noun Hurtling

Definitions

1. To meet with violence or shock; to clash; to jostle.

   Together hurtled both their steeds. Fairfax.

2. To move rapidly; to wheel or rush suddenly or with violence; to whirl round rapidly; to skirmish.

   Now hurtling round, advantage for to take. Spenser.

   Down the hurtling cataract of the ages. R. L. Stevenson.

3. To make a threatening sound, like the clash of arms; to make a sound as of confused clashing or confusion; to resound.

   The noise of battle hurtled in the air. Shak.

   The earthquake sound Hurtling 'death the solid ground. Mrs. Browning.

Hur"tle transitive verb

Definitions

1. To move with violence or impetuosity; to whirl; to brandish. Obs.

   His harmful club he gan to hurtle high. Spenser.

2. To push; to jostle; to hurl.

   And he hurtleth with his horse adown. Chaucer.