straddle

Meaning

Verb

1. To sit or stand with a leg on each side of something; to sit astride.
2. To be on both sides of something; to have parts that are in different places, regions, etc.
3. To consider or favor two apparently opposite sides; to be noncommittal.
4. To form a disorderly sprawl; to spread out irregularly.
5. To fire successive artillery shots in front of and behind of a target, especially in order to determine its range (the term "bracket" is often used instead).
6. To place a voluntary raise prior to receiving cards (only by the first player after the blinds).
7. To stand with the ends staggered; said of the spokes of a wagon wheel where they join the hub.
8. To execute a commodities market spread.

Noun

1. A posture in which one straddles something.
2. A pair or salvo of successive artillery shots falling both in front of and behind a target.
3. An investment strategy involving simultaneous trade with put and call options on the same security at the same strike price, giving a non-directional position sensitive to volatility.
4. A voluntary raise made prior to receiving cards by the first player after the blinds.
5. A vertical mine-timber supporting a set.
6. A part of a harness placed on the back of a beast of burden (such as a horse or donkey) to carry the weight of a load.

Adv

Astride.

Synonyms

bestride

stride

span

ride

pace

step

range

double

doubtfulness

dubiety

dubiousness

gait

go on

hesitancy

hesitate

hesitation

hold out

hover

indecisiveness

irresolution

last

mount

obviate

persist

progress

put option

riding

run

scruple

spread

spreading

strangle

stretch

spraddle

uncertainty

vacillate

plant oneself

put and call

ride horse

sit on

stand firm

stride over

brace one’s legs

waiting and seeing

sitting on the fence

be astride

long straddle

option strategy

short straddle

open the legs

sit on straddlewise

straddle across

astraddle

straddle jump

astride

bicycle

🚲

call option

continue

dither

divaricate

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈstɹæd.l̩/

Etymology

As a verb, attested since the 1560s. Most likely, an alteration of dialectal striddle. The noun is first attested in the 1610s.