Definition of saddle

The word "saddle" has a rich history that dates back to the 14th century. It originated from the Old English word "sadola", which referred to a seat or a cushion. This Old English word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "sadaliz", which is also the source of the Modern German word "Sattel". The Proto-Germanic word is thought to have been imitative of the sound of a horse's gait, and the Old English word "sadola" likely referred to the fabric or padding used to cover a horse's back before a rider sat on it. Over time, the meaning of the word "saddle" evolved to specifically refer to the structure used to carry a rider on a horse's back. The word has since been adopted into many languages, including Spanish ("silla"), French ("selle"), and Italian ("sella"), among others. Today, the word "saddle" is an essential part of horse-riding terminology, referring to the equipment used to enable humans to ride horses safely and comfortably.