saddle

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

• 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