I. ˈstra-d ə l verb
( strad·dled ; strad·dling ˈstrad-liŋ, ˈstra-d ə l-iŋ)
Etymology: irregular from stride
Date: 1565
intransitive verb
1. : to stand, sit, or walk with the legs wide apart ; especially : to sit astride
2. : to spread out irregularly : sprawl
3. : to favor or seem to favor two apparently opposite sides
4. : to execute a commodities market spread
transitive verb
1. : 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 ə l-ər noun
•
- straddle the fence
II. noun
Date: 1611
1. : the act or position of one who straddles
2. : a noncommittal or equivocal position
3. : spread 5