Main Entry:

¹strad·dle

Pronunciation:

\ˈstra-d^əl\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

strad·dled; strad·dling \ˈstrad-liŋ, ˈstra-d^əl-iŋ\

Etymology:

irregular from stride

Date:

1565

intransitive verb1: to stand, sit, or walk with the legs wide apart ; especially : to sit astride2: to spread out irregularly : sprawl3: to favor or seem to favor two apparently opposite sides4: to execute a commodities market spreadtransitive verb1: to stand, sit, or be astride of <straddle a horse> <campsites straddling the river>2: to be noncommittal in regard to <straddle an issue>3: to belong in part to (each of several categories) <a movie straddling genres>

— strad·dler \ˈstrad-lər, ˈstra-d^əl-ər\ noun

— straddle the fence

: to be in a position of neutrality or indecision