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Glite Dictionary
cantle

cantle

9.9
A raised, curved back part of a saddle that supports the rider
  • noun
  • /ˈkæn.təl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cantel
  • Cowboys sit back on their haunches up against the cantle.

Examples

  • He was still chafing at the delay when Arthur dashed up, with Cavell riding behind him on the cantle of his saddle.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The front of the seat has a cross-shaped pommel, and the backrest is an arched cantle.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The saddle retains the Moorish cantle and the protective leathers of the Spanish saddle.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The rider adjusted her position to stay balanced against the high cantle of her saddle.

  • He felt secure thanks to the comfortable design of the cantle on his saddle.

  • The old saddle featured an ornate cantle, reflecting its traditional craftsmanship.

Synonyms

cantel
vscantle
  • UK
9.9

The raised back part of a saddle that helps keep the rider in place

is the same part but given with a different spelling

Surface Forms

cantle singular
cantles plural

Etymology

Cantle comes from an old word cantel meaning 'edge' or 'small piece'. So the cantle of a saddle is the raised 'edge' at the back that supports the rider.