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hurtle

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

To move or rush with great speed and noise—conveying chaotic energy, often in battle or storm imagery.

Detailed Definition
“Hurtle” implies violent, chaotic motion—comets, armies, or emotions. In poetry, it energizes apocalyptic or battle scenes. The verb’s harsh consonants mimic impact. Poets use it to convey unstoppable force, where order yields to frenzy, reinforcing themes of destruction, revelation, or elemental power in epic and dramatic verse.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The chariot hurtled down the mountain path,” in an epic of doom; In Milton: “The thunderbolt hurtles from the cloud”; “His thoughts hurtled like meteors through the night”; “The storm hurtled oaks to earth,” a line of natural fury; “Hope hurtled toward her, swift and bright”; The years hurtle, yet love remains.
Additional Notes
“Hurtle” combines speed, noise, and violence; in battle or apocalyptic verse, things “hurtle through the air” to convey unstoppable force, making it ideal for describing projectiles, storms, or falling empires.
Also Known As
dash rush hurtle forward
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