astraddle
|a-strad-dle|
/əˈstrædəl/
straddling (legs on either side)
Etymology
'astraddle' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'a-' (meaning 'on' or 'in a specified position') combined with the verb 'straddle'.
'straddle' dates from Middle English (from forms such as 'stradlen'/'stradden'), and the prefixed form 'a-' + 'straddle' gave rise to 'astraddle' in Early Modern English.
Initially it described being 'on' or 'in a straddling position' and over time retained this basic sense of 'to be or place with legs on either side of something', with occasional figurative use (e.g., 'astraddle an issue').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to place or position (oneself or something) with a leg on each side of; to straddle (can be transitive or intransitive).
He astraddled the log and swung himself to the other side.
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Antonyms
Adjective 1
being in an astraddle position; placed with the legs on either side of something.
They found him lying astraddle across the chair.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/07 03:55