saddle
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˈsædl̩/
ipa: /ˈsæd(ə)l/
rhymes: -ædəl
Forms: form: saddles
Etymology: From Middle English sadel, from Old English sadol, from Proto-West Germanic *sadul, from Proto-Germanic *sadulaz (“saddle”). Further etymology uncertain, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *sod-dʰlo-, from *sed- (“to sit”) + *-dʰlom (a variant of *-trom (suffix forming nouns denoting instruments or tools)), though the Oxford English Dictionary says this “presents formal difficulties”.
Cognates
* Danish sadel
* Dutch zadel
* German Sattel
* Icelandic söðull
* Low German Sadel
* Russian седло́ (sedló)
* Saterland Frisian Soadel
* Scots sadil
* Swedish sadel
* West Frisian seal
Senses: examples: text: His [Cotton's] Horſe vvas led before, vvith a mourning Veluet Saddle on his backe, his Coffin had a Crimſon Sattin Quilt lined with purple Silke, ouer him vvas laid his Bible, Svvord and Hat: […]
ref: 1634, T[homas] H[erbert], “The Death of Sir Dodmore Cotton Ambassadour, at Cazbeen”, in A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. into Afrique and the Greater Asia, […], London: […] William Stansby, and Jacob Bloome, →OCLC, page 126:
text: My horse's bridle they [robbers] slipt, and search'd yᵉ saddle, which they pull'd off, but let the horse graze, and then turning againe bridl'd him and tied him to a tree, yet so as he might graze, and thus left me bound.
ref: 1652 June 21 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 11 June 1652]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC, page 266:
text: Consider your master's health, and rather than let him take long journeys, […] leave one of his horse's fore shoes loose in the morning; or contrive that the saddle may pinch the beast in the withers; or keep him without corn all night and morning, so that he may tire on the road; […]
ref: 1731 (date written; published 1745), [Jonathan] Swift, “V (Directions to the Groom)”, in Directions to Servants […], London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], and M. Cooper, […], →OCLC, page 152:
text: I saw many brave men cut down, many fall mortally wounded from their saddles.
ref: [1877], Anna Sewell, “An Old War Horse”, in Black Beauty: […], London: Jarrold and Sons, […], →OCLC, part III, page 164:
text: So he made the best of it, and prepared for me his own splendid riding-camel, saddled with his own saddle, and hung with luxurious housings and cushions of Nejd leather-work pierced and inlaid in various colours, with plaited fringes and nets embroidered with metal tissues.
ref: 1922 (date written; published 1926), T[homas] E[dward] Lawrence, “Book I: The Discovery of Feisal. Chapter X.”, in Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Doran & Company, published 1937, →OCLC, page 76:
glosses: A seat for a rider, typically made of leather and raised in the front and rear, placed on the back of a horse or other animal, and secured by a strap around the animal's body.
glosses: A seat for a rider, typically made of leather and raised in the front and rear, placed on the back of a horse or other animal, and secured by a strap around the animal's body.
A similar implement used to secure goods to animals; a packsaddle.
glosses: A seat for a rider, typically made of leather and raised in the front and rear, placed on the back of a horse or other animal, and secured by a strap around the animal's body.
Synonym of harness saddle (“the part of a harness which supports the weight of poles or shafts attaching a vehicle to a horse or other animal”).
synonyms: word: harness saddle
extra: the part of a harness which supports the weight of poles or shafts attaching a vehicle to a horse or other animal
glosses: A seat for a rider, typically made of leather and raised in the front and rear, placed on the back of a horse or other animal, and secured by a strap around the animal's body.
A cushion used as a seat in a cart or other vehicle.
glosses: A seat for a rider, typically made of leather and raised in the front and rear, placed on the back of a horse or other animal, and secured by a strap around the animal's body.
The immovable seat of a bicycle, motorcycle, or similar vehicle.
examples: text: [A] good horſeman, […] is ſkilfull to knovv, and hable to tell others, hovv, by certain ſure ſignes, a man may choiſe a colte, that is like to prove an other day excellent for the ſaddle.
ref: 1545, Roger Ascham, Toxophilus, the Schole of Shootinge […], London: […] Edouardi Whytchurch, →OCLC:
text: [A]nd the third ſort [of camel] are called Ragnahil, vvhich are of lovver ſtature and learner bodies then the reſidue, vnfit for burthen, and therefore are vſed for the ſaddle, by all the Noble men of Numidia, Arabia, and Libia: […]
ref: 1607, Conradus Gesnerus [i.e., Conrad Gessner]; Edward Topsell, “Of the Camell Dromedarie”, in The Historie of Foure-footed Beastes. […], London: […] William Iaggard, →OCLC, page 99:
text: Well said!—are thy friends ripe for the saddle?
ref: 1835, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], “Looking after the Halter when the Mare is Stolen”, in Rienzi, the Last of the Tribunes. […], volume I, London: Saunders and Otley, […], →OCLC, book II (The Revolution), page 285:
text: He travelled in company with them until they reached the Sweet Water; then taking a couple of horses, one for the saddle, and the other as a packhorse, he started off express for Pierre's Hole, to make arrangements against their arrival, that he might commence his hunting campaign before the rival company.
ref: 1837, Washington Irving, chapter VI, in The Rocky Mountains: Or, Scenes, Incidents, and Adventures in the Far West; […], volume I, Philadelphia, Pa.: [Henry Charles] Carey, [Isaac] Lea, & Blanchard, →OCLC, page 74:
text: 'Sir King, mine ancient wound is hardly whole, / And lets me from the saddle;' and the King / Glanced first at him, then her, and went his way.
ref: 1859, Alfred Tennyson, “Elaine”, in Idylls of the King, London: Edward Moxon & Co., […], →OCLC, page 152:
glosses: A seat for a rider, typically made of leather and raised in the front and rear, placed on the back of a horse or other animal, and secured by a strap around the animal's body.
Chiefly preceded by the: horse-riding as an activity or occupation.
glosses: A seat for a rider, typically made of leather and raised in the front and rear, placed on the back of a horse or other animal, and secured by a strap around the animal's body.
Synonym of saddle brown (“a medium brown colour, like that of saddle leather”).
synonyms: word: saddle brown
extra: a medium brown colour, like that of saddle leather
examples: text: The Hill Zeliſco bore S.E. vvhich is a very high Hill in the Country, vvith a Saddle or bending on the top.
ref: 1697, William Dampier, chapter IX, in A New Voyage Round the World. […], London: […] James Knapton, […], →OCLC, page 267:
text: [W]e had to dismount and lead our animals [camels] up a narrow hill-path with broken steps of rock so polished by long years of passing feet that they were dangerous in wet weather. […] After fifteen minutes of this we were glad to reach a high saddle on which former travellers had piled little cairns of commemoration and thankfulness.
ref: 1922 (date written; published 1926), T[homas] E[dward] Lawrence, “Book III: A Railway Diversion. Chapter XXXI.”, in Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Doran & Company, published 1937, →OCLC, page 180:
text: So we continue climbing to the saddle of the Kleine Scheidegg, where ahead there comes into view the wide expanse of the Grindelwald valley, backed by the snowy crown of the Wetterhorn.
ref: 1960 December, Voyageur [pseudonym], “The Mountain Railways of the Bernese Oberland”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 752:
text: With Lizzie leading, they scrambled quickly over several false peaks towards the saddle.
ref: 1977, John Le Carré [pseudonym; David John Moore Cornwell], “Nelson”, in The Honourable Schoolboy, London: Hodder and Stoughton, →ISBN, page 514:
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
A low point, in the shape of a saddle, between two hills.
examples: text: To roast a leg, haunch, or saddle of mutton. […] A modern refinement is to put laver in the dripping-pan, which, in basting, imparts a high gout; or a large saddle may be served over a pound and a half of laver, stewed in brown sauce with catsup and seasonings.
ref: 1847, Margaret Dods [pseudonym; Christian Isobel Johnstone], “Roasting”, in The Cook and Housewife’s Manual. […], 8th edition, Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd; London; Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., →OCLC, paragraph 19, pages 106–107:
text: Certainly, in the gravy soups, turbot, hare, roast saddles, cabinet puddings, boiled eggs at tea-time and bread and butter and meat paste with the morning tray, one tasted one's own decadence: a tradition had been preserved in order to humiliate. Perhaps it really was time the British limped out of Malaya.
ref: 1958, Anthony Burgess, chapter 6, in The Enemy in the Blanket (The Malayan Trilogy), London: William Heinemann, published 1979, →ISBN, page 71:
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
A cut of meat that includes both loins and part of the backbone.
topics: dentistry
medicine
sciences
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
The part of a denture which holds the artificial teeth.
examples: text: […] with this arrangement the cylinders are cast separately from the saddle, and bolted to the frames on each side with a fabricated stiffener between the frames. This stiffener is carried up to form the saddle for the smokebox, and within it is fitted the exhaust pipes from the cylinders to the blast pipe.
ref: 1944 November and December, “Modified G.W.R. "Hall" Class Locomotives”, in Railway Magazine, page 350:
topics: engineering
natural-sciences
physical-sciences
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
An equipment part, such as a flange, which is hollowed out to fit upon a convex surface and serve as a means of attachment or support.
topics: geography
geology
natural-sciences
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
An anticline (“fold with strata sloping downwards on each side”); specifically, a depression located along the axial trend of such a fold.
topics: business
geography
geology
mining
natural-sciences
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
An anticline (“fold with strata sloping downwards on each side”); specifically, a depression located along the axial trend of such a fold.
Synonym of saddle reef (“a saddle-shaped bedded mineral (usually gold-bearing quartz) vein occurring along the crest of an anticline or (less common) a syncline (an inverted saddle)”).
synonyms: word: saddle reef
extra: (“a saddle-shaped bedded mineral (usually gold-bearing quartz) vein occurring along the crest of an anticline or (less common) a syncline (an inverted saddle)”)
topics: geometry
mathematics
sciences
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
Synonym of saddle point (“a point in the range of a smooth function, every neighbourhood of which contains points on each side of its tangent plane”).
synonyms: word: saddle point
extra: a point in the range of a smooth function, every neighbourhood of which contains points on each side of its tangent plane
topics: arts
crafts
hobbies
lifestyle
lutherie
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
The part of a guitar which supports the strings and, in an acoustic guitar, transfers their vibrations through the bridge to the soundboard.
topics: arts
crafts
hobbies
lifestyle
lutherie
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
A small object (traditionally made of ebony) at the bottom of a string instrument such as a cello, viola, or violin below the tailpiece on which the tailgut (“cord securing the tailpiece to the instrument”) rests.
topics: nautical
transport
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
A block of wood with concave depressions at the top and bottom, usually fastened to one spar and shaped to receive the end of another.
examples: text: Door Shoes - (doors with saddle treshold) are [strips that] provide a seal between the door and the threshold.
ref: 1994 09, DIANE Publishing Company, Four-H Home Conservation Guide: A Collection of Hands-On Projects and Information Which Teach Home Energy Conservation Skills, DIANE Publishing, →ISBN, page 7:
text: How to Replace an Exterior Door Threshold. 1. [Image of a floorboard in a doorway.] Remove the old saddle. This may be as easy as unscrewing the saddle and prying it out. If necessary, cut the old saddle in two using a reciprocating saw, then pry out the saddle. Be careful not to damage the flooring or the door frame. Note which edge of the saddle is more steeply beveled; the new saddle should be installed the same way.
ref: 2008 September 1, Editors of Creative Publishing, Black & Decker The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair: with 350 Projects and 2000 Photos, Cool Springs Press, →ISBN, page 119:
text: [The part of a] door that is generally referred to as the "threshold" is actually made up of two separate components : a sill , which serves as the bottom of the door frame and diverts water and dirt away from the home, and the threshold or saddle[…]
ref: 2016 April 1, Editors of Cool Springs Press, Black & Decker The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair, 4th Edition, Cool Springs Press, →ISBN, page 130:
topics: business
construction
manufacturing
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
The threshold, the raised floorboard in a doorway.
topics: biology
natural-sciences
zoology
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
The clitellum of an earthworm (family Lumbricidae).
topics: biology
natural-sciences
zoology
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
The lower part of the back of a domestic fowl, especially a male bird, bearing the saddle feathers or saddle hackles.
topics: biology
natural-sciences
zoology
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
In full saddle marking or saddle patch: a saddle-like marking on an animal, such as one on the back of an adult harp seal or saddleback seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus), or any of numerous such markings on a boa constrictor (Boa constrictor).
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
A piece of leather stitched across the instep of a shoe, usually having a different colour from the rest of the shoe.
examples: text: 'Now then … What'll it be, boys?' Mr Berman asked. / My mother answered. 'Brown-and-white saddles for Fudge and loafers for Peter.'
ref: 1972, Judy Blume, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, New York, N.Y.: Dutton Children’s Books, →ISBN, page 56:
glosses: Something resembling a saddle (sense 1) in appearance or shape.
Synonym of saddle oxford or saddle shoe (“a shoe, resembling an oxford, which has a saddle (sense 11.1)”).
synonyms: word: saddle oxford or saddle shoe
extra: (“a shoe, resembling an oxford, which has a saddle (sense 11.1)”).
examples: text: In "hammocking," a new program is placed in the "saddle" between two established hits, or "tent poles."
ref: 1995, Lee Bogart, Commercial Culture: The Media System and the Public Interest, page 227:
topics: broadcasting
media
glosses: A timeslot between two popular programmes, in which another programme can be scheduled to encourage people to watch it.
Derived terms: back in the saddle
boots and saddles
burr in one's saddle
burr under one's saddle
dressage saddle
elfin saddle
English saddle
in the saddle
jumping saddle
McClellan saddle
offsaddle
packsaddle
park saddle
put the saddle on the right horse
racing saddle
ride tall in the saddle
saddleback
saddle-backed
saddle-backed bush cricket
saddle back reef
saddle-bag
saddlebag
saddle bag
saddle bar
saddle beast
saddlebill
saddle-billed stork
saddle blanket
saddle block anaesthesia
saddlebow
saddle-bow
saddle bow
saddle brown
saddlebum
saddle-bum
saddle bum
saddle carbine
saddlecloth
saddle-cloth
saddle embolus
saddle feather
saddle gall
saddle grafting
saddle hackle
Saddle Hills County
saddle horn
saddle horse
saddle joint
saddleless
saddlelike
saddle nose
saddle oxford
saddle-oxforded
saddle oyster
saddle pad
saddle pain
saddle plate
saddle point
saddle quern
saddle reef
saddle ring
saddle roof
saddlery
saddle seat
saddle-shaped tricholoma
saddle shoe
saddle-sick
saddle soap
saddle sore
saddle stapler
saddle stitch
saddle tank
saddle thrombus
saddle-tramp
saddle tramp
saddletree
saddle-tree
saddle tree
saddle vein
saddlewise
sidesaddle
side-saddle
spring saddle
stock saddle
Sybian saddle
tall in the saddle
Western saddle