v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. a sit or stand across (a thing) with the legs wide apart. b be situated across or on both sides of (the town straddles the border).
2 intr. a sit or stand in this way. b (of the legs) be wide apart.
3 tr. part (one's legs) widely.
4 tr. drop shots or bombs short of and beyond (a target).
5 tr. vacillate between two policies etc. regarding (an issue).
--n.
1. the act or an instance of straddling.
2 Stock Exch. an option giving the holder the right of either calling for or delivering stock at a fixed price.
Derivatives:
straddler n.
Etymology: alt. of striddle, back-form. f. striddlings astride f. strid- STRIDE