Stirrup
Stirrup , noun
[Old English stirop, Anglo-Saxon stigrāp; stīgan to mount, ascend + rāp a rope; akin to German stegreif a stirrup. r164. See Sty, v. i., and Rope.]
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.
2.
(Carpentry & Machinery) Any piece resembling in shape the stirrup of a saddle, and used as a support, clamp, etc. See Bridle iron.
3.
(Nautical) A rope secured to a yard, with a thimble in its lower end for supporting a footrope. — Totten
Collocations (4)
Stirrup bone (Anatomy) , 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, 1.