Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Saddle?

\Sad"dle\, n. 1. (Phys. Geog.) A ridge connected two higher elevations; a low point in the crest line of a ridge; a col. 2. (Mining) A formation of gold-bearing quartz occurring along the crest of an anticlinal fold, esp. in Australia.
\Sad"dle\, n. [OE. sadel, AS. sadol; akin to D. zadel, G. sattel, OHG. satal, satul, Icel. s["o][eth]ull, Dan. & Sw. sadel; cf. Russ. siedlo; all perh. ultimately from the root of E. sit.] 1. A seat for a rider, -- usually made of leather, padded to span comfortably a horse's back, furnished with stirrups for the rider's feet to rest in, and fastened in place with a girth; also, a seat for the rider on a bicycle or tricycle. 2. A padded part of a harness which is worn on a horse's back, being fastened in place with a girth. It serves various purposes, as to keep the breeching in place, carry guides for the reins, etc. 3. A piece of meat containing a part of the backbone of an animal with the ribs on each side; as, a saddle of mutton, of venison, etc. 4. (Naut.) A block of wood, usually fastened to some spar, and shaped to receive the end of another spar. 5. (Mach.) A part, as a flange, which is hollowed out to fit upon a convex surface and serve as a means of attachment or support. 6. (Zo["o]l.) The clitellus of an earthworm. 7. (Arch.) The threshold of a door, when a separate piece from the floor or landing; -- so called because it spans and covers the joint between two floors. {Saddle bar} (Arch.), one the small iron bars to which the lead panels of a glazed window are secured. --Oxf. Gloss. {Saddle gall} (Far.), a sore or gall upon a horse's back, made by the saddle. {Saddle girth}, a band passing round the body of a horse to hold the saddle in its place. {saddle horse}, a horse suitable or trained for riding with a saddle. {Saddle joint}, in sheet-metal roofing, a joint formed by bending up the edge of a sheet and folding it downward over the turned-up edge of the next sheet. {Saddle roof}, (Arch.), a roof having two gables and one ridge; -- said of such a roof when used in places where a different form is more common; as, a tower surmounted by a saddle roof. Called also {saddleback roof}. {Saddle shell} (Zo["o]l.), any thin plicated bivalve shell of the genera {Placuna} and {Anomia}; -- so called from its shape. Called also {saddle oyster}.
\Sad"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Saddled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Saddling}.] [AS. sadelian.] 1. To put a saddle upon; to equip (a beast) for riding. ``saddle my horse.'' --Shak. Abraham rose up early, . . . and saddled his ass. --Gen. xxii. 3. 2. Hence: To fix as a charge or burden upon; to load; to encumber; as, to saddle a town with the expense of bridges and highways.