Barriers or obstacles placed in a race that runners must jump over, or figuratively, any problems or difficulties that need to be overcome.
From Old English 'hyrde' or 'hurdle,' originally a portable fence made of branches woven together. These were used both for fencing and for racing obstacles.
The Olympic hurdle events create one of the most exciting moments in sports—watching athletes leap over obstacles at full speed is thrilling partly because it looks so dangerous and partly because you're watching humans overcome literal barriers, not just abstract ones.
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