n. & v.
n. 1 a seat of leather etc., usu. raised at the front and rear, fastened on a horse etc. for riding. 2 a seat for the rider of a bicycle etc. 3 a joint of meat consisting of the two loins. 4 a ridge rising to a summit at each end. 5 the part of a draught-horse's harness to which the shafts are attached. 6 a part of an animal's back resembling a saddle in shape or marking. 7 the rear part of a male fowl's back. 8 a support for a cable or wire on top of a suspension-bridge, pier, or telegraph-pole. 9 a fireclay bar for supporting ceramic ware in a kiln.
v.tr. 1 put a saddle on (a horse etc.). 2 a (foll. by with) burden (a person) with a task, responsibility, etc. b (foll. by on, upon) impose (a burden) on a person. 3 (of a trainer) enter (a horse) for a race. in the saddle 1 mounted. 2 in office or control. saddle-bag 1 each of a pair of bags laid across a horse etc. behind the saddle. 2 a bag attached behind the saddle of a bicycle or motor cycle. saddle-bow the arched front or rear of a saddle. saddle-cloth a cloth laid on a horse's back under the saddle. saddle-horse a horse for riding. saddle-sore chafed by riding on a saddle. saddle stitch a stitch of thread or a wire staple passed through the centre of a magazine or booklet. saddle-tree 1 the frame of a saddle. 2 a tulip-tree (with saddle-shaped leaves). saddleless adj.
[ OE sadol, sadul f. Gmc ]