stirrup

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A flat-based loop or ring hung from either side of a horse's saddle to support the rider's foot in mounting and riding; a stirrup iron.
2. n. A part or device shaped like an inverted U in which something is supported, held, or fixed.
3. n. Nautical A rope on a ship that hangs from a yard and has an eye at the end through which a footrope is passed for support.
4. n. Anatomy See stapes.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A support for the foot of a person mounted on a horse, usually a metal loop with the bottom part flat and corrugated or finished with points to give a hold to the sole of the boot and to aid in mounting. The metal loop is suspended from the saddle by a strap or thong, which in modern saddles is adjustable in length. The stirrup of Arab or other Eastern horsemen has a very broad rest for the foot; this projects sometimes beyond the heel, and the sharp edge of it serves instead of a spur. The stirrups of some modern military saddles have a strong front piece of leather or other material which prevents the foot from passing too far into the loop and protects the front of the leg. See also cut under saddle.
2. n. Nautical, a rope with an eye at its end, through which a foot-rope is rove, and by which it is supported. The ends of stirrups are securely fastened to the yard, and they steady the men when reefing or furling sails.
3. n. In machinery, any piece resembling in shape and functions the stirrup of a saddle, as the iron loop by which a mill-saw hangs from the muley-head or in the sash.
4. n. In carpentry, etc., an iron loop-strap or other device for securing a rafter-post or -strut to a tie, or for supporting a beam, etc.
5. n. A hold for the foot at the end of the stock of a large crossbow, to keep it firm while the bow is bent and the string drawn to the notch. See cut under arbalister.
6. n. In anatomy, the stapes or stirrup-bone.

Wiktionary

1. n. A foot rest used by horse-riders.
2. n. anatomy A stapes.
3. n. Any piece shaped like the stirrup of a saddle, used as a support, clamp, etc.
4. n. nautical A rope secured to a yard, with a thimble in its lower end for supporting a footrope.
5. adj. Referring to women's pants, a form of trousers commonly worn by women that includes a strap beneath the arch of the foot.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. 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.
2. n. (Carp. & Mach.) Any piece resembling in shape the stirrup of a saddle, and used as a support, clamp, etc. See Bridle iron.
3. n. (Naut.) A rope secured to a yard, with a thimble in its lower end for supporting a footrope.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. the stirrup-shaped ossicle that transmits sound from the incus to the cochlea
2. n. support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go