noun1. Also called: stirrup iron either of two metal loops on a riding saddle, with a flat footpiece through which a rider puts his or her foot for support. They are attached to the saddle by stirrup leathers
2. a U-shaped support or clamp made of metal, wood, leather, etc
3. nautical one of a set of ropes fastened to a yard at one end and having a thimble at the other through which a footrope is rove for support
4. the usual US name for étrier
Word origin
Old English
stigrāp, from
stīg path, step (related to Old High German
stīgan to move up) +
rāp rope; related to Old Norse
stigreip, Old High German
stegareif