STIRRUP Stir"rup, n. Etym: [OE. stirop, AS. stigrap; stigan to mount, ascend + rap a rope; akin to G. stegreif a stirrup. *164. 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. Chaucer.
2. (Carp. & Mach.)
Defn: Any piece resembling in shape the stirrup of a saddle, and used as a support, clamp, etc. See Bridle iron.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: A rope secured to a yard, with a thimble in its lower end for
supporting a footrope. Totten. Stirrup bone (Anat.), 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.
STIRT
Stirt, obs. p. p. of Start, v. i.
Defn: Started; leaped.
They privily be stirt into a well. Chaucer.
STIRTE
Stir"te, obs.
Defn: imp. of Start, v. i. & t. Chaucer.