stirrup
1. A kind of ring, or bent piece of metal, wood, leather, or the like, horizontal in one part for receiving the foot of a rider, and attached by a strap to the saddle, used to assist a person in mounting a horse, and to enable him to sit steadily in riding, as well as to relieve him by supporting a part of the weight of the body. Our host upon his stirpoes stood anon. (Chaucer)
2. (Science: machinery) Any piece resembling in shape the stirrup of a saddle, and used as a support, clamp, etc. See bridle iron.
3. A rope secured to a yard, with a thimble in its lower end for supporting a footrope.
(Science: anatomy) Stirrup bone, the stapes. Stirrup cup, a parting cup taken after mounting. Stirrup iron, an iron stirrup. Stirrup leather, or Stirrup strap, the strap which attaches a stirrup to the saddle. See Stirrup.
Origin: OE. Stirop, AS. Stigrap; stigan to mount, ascend – rap a rope; akin to G. Stegreif a stirrup. 164. See Sty, and Rope.
Dictionary > Stirrups
