ˈstər.əp, ˈstə.rəp also ˈstirəp sometimes ˈsterəp, chiefly in dial or substand speech ˈstərp noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English stirop, from Old English stigrāp; akin to Old High German stegareif stirrup, Old Norse stigreip; all from a prehistoric North Germanic-West Germanic compound whose first constituent is akin to Old English stīgan to go up and whose second constituent is represented by Old English rāp rope — more at stair , rope
1. : a ring or bent piece of metal, wood, or leather made horizontal in one part for receiving the foot of a rider, attached by a strap to a saddle, and used to aid in mounting and as a support while riding — see stock saddle illustration
2. : a piece resembling a stirrup: as
a. : one used as a support or clamp in carpentry and machinery — compare hanger 7
b. : a flat usually U-shaped steel bar or strap for receiving and supporting one end of a timber joist, beam, or girder
c. : a stirrup-shaped footrest (as used in working bellows)
3. : a rope secured to a yard and having a thimble in its lower end for supporting a footrope — see sail illustration, ship illustration
4.
[translation of New Latin stapes ]
: stapes
5. : the part of a garment or device that passes under the instep