saddle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsad(ə)l/

noun

  • 1a seat fastened on the back of a horse or other animal for riding, typically made of leather and raised at the front and rear.
  • a seat on a bicycle or motorcycle.
  • 2a shaped support on which a cable, wire, or pipe rests.
  • a fireclay bar for supporting ceramic ware in a kiln.
  • the part of a draught horse’s harness which supports the straps to which the shafts are attached.
  • 3a low part of a ridge between two higher points or peaks: follow the road which goes across the saddle between two tors
  • Mathematics a low region of a curve between two high points, especially (in three dimensions) one representing the highest point of a curve in one direction and the lowest point in another direction.
  • 4the lower part of the back in a mammal or fowl, especially when distinct in shape or marking: feathers at the rear of a rooster’s saddle
  • a joint of meat consisting of the two loins: a saddle of lamb [mass noun]: a recipe for saddle of hare

verb

[with object]
  • 1put a saddle on (a horse): he was in the stable saddling up his horse
  • (of a trainer) enter (a horse) for a race: he saddles Native Mission in today’s Tote Gold Trophy Hurdle at Newbury
  • 2 (usually be saddled with) burden (someone) with an onerous responsibility or task: he’s saddled with debts of $12 million

Phrases

in the saddle

on horseback: a six-day trail ride, with six hours daily in the saddle
in a position of control or responsibility: strategic Toryism must get back in the saddle

Origin:

Old English sadol, sadul, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zadel and German Sattel, perhaps from an Indo-European root shared by Latin sella 'seat' and sit