hurl

Etymology

From earlier hurlen. Possibly related to hurry.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /hɝl/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)l

Verb

hurl (third-person singular simple present hurls, present participle hurling, simple past and past participle hurled)

1. (transitive) To throw (something) with force.
   • 2011 September 2, “Wales 2-1 Montenegro”, in BBC‎:

     The Tottenham wing was causing havoc down the right and when he broke past the bemused Sasa Balic once again, Bellamy was millimetres from connecting with his cross as the Liverpool striker hurled himself at the ball.

   • 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Land That Time Forgot Chapter IV

     I was standing on the edge of the conning-tower, when a heavy palm suddenly struck me between the shoulders and hurled me forward into space. The drop to the triangular deck forward of the conning-tower might easily have broken a leg for me, or I might have slipped off onto the deck and rolled overboard; but fate was upon my side, as I was only slightly bruised.

   • 1912, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, Chapter 5

     Tarzan on his part never lost an opportunity to show that he fully reciprocated his foster father's sentiments, and whenever he could safely annoy him or make faces at him or hurl insults upon him from the safety of his mother's arms, or the slender branches of the higher trees, he did so.

2. (transitive) To utter (harsh or derogatory speech), especially at its target.

   The gangs hurled abuse at each other.

   • 2016, Daniel Gray, Saturday, 3pm: 50 Eternal Delights of Modern Football

     It is Boxing Day in a football ground, and all we can do is sprawl over the plastic, hurling instructions and vague encouragement.

   • 1984, New International Version of the Bible, Mark 15:29-30:

     Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!"

3. (intransitive) To participate in the sport of hurling.
   • 2011 August 3, Donnchadh Boyle, “Egan targets Rebel success to rescue poor season”, in Irish Independent‎:

     Their cause was helped after the senior footballers were unexpectedly dumped out of the running for the Sam Maguire, meaning Aidan Walsh is available to hurl full-time with the young Rebels -- Walsh scored 1-1 in the semi-final victory over reigning All-Ireland champions Tipperary.

4. (intransitive, slang) To vomit.

   Pass me the bucket; I've got to hurl.

5. (obsolete) To twist or turn.
   • Hooker

     hurled or crooked feet

Noun

hurl (plural hurls)

1. A throw, especially a violent throw; a fling.

   He managed a hurl of 50.3 metres.

   a hurl of abuse

   • Congreve

     Beholding rocks from their firm basis rent;
     Mountain on mountain thrown,
     With threatening hurl, that shook th' aerial firmament!

2. The act of vomiting.
3. (hurling) The act of hitting the sliotar with the hurley.
4. (Ulster) (car) ride
5. (obsolete) tumult; riot; hurly-burly
6. (obsolete) A table on which fibre is stirred and mixed by beating with a bow spring.

Anagrams

• Ruhl