I. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: perhaps from cock (II) + horse
1. : something (as an adult's knee, a broomstick, or a hobbyhorse) on which a child may sit astride and pretend to ride as if on a horse
ride a cockhorse
2. : an extra horse led behind a coach to be hitched before the regular team to assist in passing over steep or difficult terrain
II. adverb
: astride , aloft
ride cockhorse on a broomstick
emaciated beasts that were lame and blindfolded and padded, but ridden cockhorse — J.H.Allen