Barrelling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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barrelling
[ˈbɛrəlɪŋ ]
Definition
physical movement
Barrelling refers to moving rapidly and forcefully, often in a manner similar to a barrel rolling down a slope. It can describe the action of moving swiftly towards something, sometimes without regard for obstacles in the way.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The car came barreling down the hill.
- He was barreling through the crowd to get to the front.
- The wave came barreling towards the shore.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Transport and Mechanics
- Barrelling is often used to describe vehicles moving rapidly, particularly in racing contexts.
- In physics, this term can relate to the concept of momentum, where an object's mass and speed combine to create a powerful force.
- In modern terms, engineers sometimes refer to barrelling when discussing the rapid movement of liquids in pipelines.
Sports
- In surfing, barrelling waves create a tube-like formation that surfers aim to ride through.
- Barrelling in skiing describes the swift motion one takes while going downhill, steering clear of obstacles.
- In baseball, a batter's swing can be described as barrelling through the ball, emphasizing speed and power.
Culture
- The term has been adopted in everyday language to describe anything that is moving hurriedly, like 'barrelling down the road'.
- It's used in storytelling and film, often to build tension or excitement with fast-paced action scenes.
- Barrelling is also a common term in literary metaphors, representing hurried life choices or decisions.
Music
- In music, particularly in rock and roll, the term can describe the driving rhythm that propels a song forward.
- Jazz musicians might speak of a barrelling improvisation where the tempo rapidly picks up, creating excitement.
- Song lyrics often use the concept of barrelling to signify fast-paced emotions or experiences.
Origin of 'barrelling'
Main points about word origin
- The word originated from the Middle English term 'barrel', which referred to a round wooden container.
- In Old French, the word 'baril' also meant a cask or barrel, showing its long history in language.
- The verb form developed as people began to describe the motion of rolling barrels.
The word 'barrelling' is derived from the noun 'barrel', which originates from the Old French 'baril', meaning a cask or container. This term evolved in the Middle Ages to describe cylindrical containers used for storage, primarily of liquids such as wine or beer. The verb 'barrel' emerged to express the action of moving or traveling inside or like a barrel. The formation of the verb 'barrelling' indicates a progressive action, suggesting a forceful and swift movement akin to the rolling of a barrel. Over time, the term has adopted broader applications in various contexts, including sports, transportation, and casual descriptions of rapid movement.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #39,706, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
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