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 held
3 a : a ridge connecting two higher elevations b : a pass in a mountain range
4 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 illustration
5 : the central part of the spine of the binding of a book
6 : 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]