Main Entry:

¹sad·dle

Pronunciation:

\ˈsa-d^əl\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle English sadel, from Old English sadol; akin to Old High German satul saddle

Date:

before 12th century

1 a (1): a girthed usually padded and leather-covered seat for the rider of an animal (as a horse) (2): a part of a driving harness comparable to a saddle that is used to keep the breeching in place b: a seat to be straddled by the rider of a vehicle (as a bicycle)2: a device mounted as a support and often shaped to fit the object held3 a: a ridge connecting two higher elevations b: a pass in a mountain range4 a: both sides of the unsplit back of a carcass including both loins b: a colored marking on the back of an animal c: the rear part of a male fowl's back extending to the tail — see duck illustration5: the central part of the spine of the binding of a book6: a piece of leather across the instep of a shoe

— sad·dle·less \-d^əl-(l)əs\ adjective

— in the saddle

: in control

[saddle illustration]