n.1 each of a pair of devices attached to each side of a horse's saddle, in the form of a loop with a flat base to support the rider's foot.
2 (attrib.) having the shape of a stirrup.
3 (in full stirrup bone) STAPES.
Phrases and idioms:
stirrup-cup a cup of wine etc. offered to a person about to depart, orig. on horseback. stirrup-iron the metal loop of a stirrup. stirrup-leather (or -strap) the strap attaching a stirrup to a saddle. stirrup-pump a hand-operated water-pump with a foot-rest, used to extinguish small fires.
Etymology: OE stigrap f. stigan climb (as STILE(1)) + ROPE