Hiking

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈhaɪkɪŋ/

Definitions

1. This activity consists of walking for prolonged periods in rural or wilderness settings, merging physical fitness with nature appreciation, and allowing participants to traverse diverse landscapes while engaging in a healthy lifestyle
2. The act of traveling on foot through natural surroundings, usually over trails or paths, emphasizing endurance and exploration
3. Engaging in extended walks in countryside or wilderness areas for recreation and exercise

Etymology: Walking for pleasure through wild country owes its name to a word that once meant a jerky, awkward movement. "Hike" comes from an English dialect verb "hyke," meaning to walk vigorously, which is probably a Northern form of "hitch," a Middle English word for moving, jerking or stirring. Its relatives include Scots "hyke," meaning to move with a jerk, and a dialect German verb meaning to hobble or walk with a limp, so the original picture is less of a brisk stroll than a lurching, uneven gait. The "hike" sense of ascending or moving steadily gradually shifted toward the leisurely, endurance-focused activity we know now. The verb's meaning also grew to include pulling up or raising things, as in hiking up a skirt or hiking prices, which keeps the sense of sudden upward movement from the original jerk.

Synonyms: trekking, walking, rambling, strolling, tramping

Antonyms: sitting, resting, lying, standing still, idling