— saddleless , adj. — saddlelike , adj.
/sad"l/ , n. , v. , saddled, saddling .
n.
1. a seat for a rider on the back of a horse or other animal.
2. a similar seat on a bicycle, tractor, etc.
3. a part of a harness laid across the back of an animal and girded under the belly, to which the terrets and checkhook are attached. See illus. under harness .
4. something resembling a saddle in shape, position, or function.
5. the part of the back of an animal where a saddle is placed.
6. -
a. (of mutton, venison, lamb, etc.) a cut comprising both loins.
b. this cut, trimmed and prepared for roasting.
7. (of poultry) the posterior part of the back.
8. a ridge connecting two higher elevations.
9. the covering of a roof ridge.
10. bolster (def. 7).
11. a raised piece of flooring between the jambs of a doorway.
12. an inverted bracket bearing on the axle of a railroad car wheel as a support for the car body.
13. Ordn. the support for the trunnion on some gun carriages.
14. Mach. a sliding part for spanning a space or other parts to support something else, as the cross slide and toolholder of a lathe.
15. a strip of leather, often of a contrasting color, sewn on the vamp or instep of a shoe and extending to each side of the shank.
16. See saddle shoe .
17. Ceram. a bar of refractory clay, triangular in section, for supporting one side of an object being fired.
18. (in a suspension bridge) a member at the top of a tower for supporting a cable.
19. in the saddle ,
a. in a position to direct or command; in control.
b. at work; on the job.
v.t.
20. to put a saddle on: to saddle a horse.
21. to load or charge, as with a burden: He has saddled himself with a houseful of impecunious relatives.
22. to impose as a burden or responsibility.
v.i.
23. to put a saddle on a horse (often fol. by up ).
24. to mount into the saddle (often fol. by up ).
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME sadel, OE sadol; c. G Sattel, ON sothull; (v.) ME sad ( e ) len, OE sadolian, deriv. of the n.; akin to SIT 1 ]