Stir'rup, n.

(stūr/rup, or stēr/rup) (Synop., § 130), n. [A-S. stigerāp, stigrāp, stirāp, from stigan, to mount, ascend, and rāp, a rope; Prov. Eng. stigh-rope, a rope-ladder. Cf. Ger. steigbügel, i. e., a mounting-bow; D. stijgbeugel, Sw. stegbögel, Dan. stigböile. The first stirrups appear to have been ropes.]

1Sense 1. A kind of ring, or bent piece of metal, leather, &c., horizontal in one part for receiving the foot of the rider, and attached to a strap which is fastened to the saddle, — used to assist persons in mounting a horse, and to enable them to sit steadily in riding, as well as to relieve them by supporting a part of the weight of the body.

2Sense 2. (Mach.) Any piece resembling, in shape and functions, the stirrup of a saddle. [See Illust. of Spring.]

3Sense 3. (Naut.) A rope secured to a yard, with a thimble in its lower end, for reeving a foot-rope. Totten.