[sad.dle] n, often attrib [ME sadel, fr. OE sadol; akin to OHG satul saddle] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a girthed usu. 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 backbone of the binding of a book
6: a piece of leather across the instep of a shoe -- sad.dle.less adj -- in the saddle : in control
[2]saddle vb sad.dled ; sad.dling vt (bef. 12c) 1: to put a saddle on
2. a: to place under a burden or encumbrance b: to place (an onerous responsibility) on a person or group ~ vi: to mount a saddled horse