To cause physical pain or emotional distress to someone. To be in pain or to damage something.
From Old French 'hurter', meaning 'to ram, strike'. Originally meant to collide with force, then developed meanings of causing damage and pain, both physical and emotional.
The word 'hurt' beautifully captures how physical and emotional pain feel similar to our brains - both register as damage or collision. The original meaning of 'ram into' perfectly describes how painful experiences feel like being hit by something!
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