saddle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a seat for the rider of a horse or camel
  2. noun a pass or ridge that slopes gently between two peaks (is shaped like a saddle)
    saddleback.
  3. noun cut of meat (especially mutton or lamb) consisting of part of the backbone and both loins
  4. noun a piece of leather across the instep of a shoe
  5. noun a seat for the rider of a bicycle
    bicycle seat.
  6. noun posterior part of the back of a domestic fowl
  7. verb put a saddle on
    • saddle the horses
  8. verb load or burden; encumber
    • he saddled me with that heavy responsibility
  9. verb impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to
    charge; burden.
    • He charged her with cleaning up all the files over the weekend

WordNet

Sad"dle noun
Etymology
OE. sadel, AS. sadol; akin to D. zadel, G. sattel, OHG. satal, satul, Icel. sö&edh;ull, Dan. & Sw. sadel; cf. Russ. siedlo; all perh. ultimately from the root of E. sit.
Definitions
  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. (Zoöl.) 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.
Sad"dle transitive verb
Etymology
AS. sadelian.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Saddled ; present participle & verbal noun Saddling
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913