'Stirrup bone' definitions:
Definition of 'Stirrup bone'
From: GCIDE
- Stirrup \Stir"rup\, n. [OE. stirop, AS. stigr[=a]p; st[imac]gan to mount, ascend + r[=a]p a rope; akin to G. stegreif a stirrup. [root]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. [1913 Webster]
- Our host upon his stirpoes stood anon. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Carp. & Mach.) Any piece resembling in shape the stirrup of a saddle, and used as a support, clamp, etc. See Bridle iron. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (Naut.) A rope secured to a yard, with a thimble in its lower end for supporting a footrope. --Totten. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]