saddle: Meaning and Definition of

sad•dle

Pronunciation: (sad'l), [key]
— n., v., -dled, -dling.
—n.
  1. a seat for a rider on the back of a horse or other animal.
  2. a similar seat on a bicycle, tractor, etc.
  3. a part of a harness laid across the back of an animal and girded under the belly, to which the terrets and checkhook are attached. See illus. under
  4. something resembling a saddle in shape, position, or function.
  5. the part of the back of an animal where a saddle is placed.
    1. (of mutton, venison, lamb, etc.) a cut comprising both loins.
    2. this cut, trimmed and prepared for roasting.
  6. (of poultry) the posterior part of the back.
  7. a ridge connecting two higher elevations.
  8. the covering of a roof ridge.
  9. bolster (def. 7).
  10. a raised piece of flooring between the jambs of a doorway.
  11. an inverted bracket bearing on the axle of a railroad car wheel as a support for the car body.
  12. the support for the trunnion on some gun carriages.
  13. a sliding part for spanning a space or other parts to support something else, as the cross slide and toolholder of a lathe.
  14. a strip of leather, often of a contrasting color, sewn on the vamp or instep of a shoe and extending to each side of the shank.
  15. See
  16. a bar of refractory clay, triangular in section, for supporting one side of an object being fired.
  17. (in a suspension bridge) a member at the top of a tower for supporting a cable.
    1. in a position to direct or command; in control.
    2. at work; on the job.
—v.t.
  1. to put a saddle on: to saddle a horse.
  2. to load or charge, as with a burden: He has saddled himself with a houseful of impecunious relatives.
  3. to impose as a burden or responsibility.
—v.i.
  1. to put a saddle on a horse (often fol. by up).
  2. to mount into the saddle (often fol. by up).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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