straddled

Verb

straddle (third-person singular simple present straddles, present participle straddling, simple past and past participle straddled)

1. (transitive) To sit or stand with a leg on each side of something; to sit astride.
   • But guess my surprise, when I saw the lazy young rogue lie down on his back, and gently pull down Polly upon him, who giving way to his humour, straddled, and with her hands conducted her blind favourite to the right place1749, [John Cleland], “(Please specify the letter or volume)”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: […] [Thomas Parker] for G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] […], →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   stride

2. (transitive) To be on both sides of something; to have parts that are in different places, regions, etc.
   • The mountain-ringed Yukon Flats basin straddles the Arctic Circle and is bisected by the Yukon River.1978, Jimmy Carter, Proclamation 4627

   Synonyms:

   arch, traverse

3. (transitive) To consider or favor two apparently opposite sides; to be noncommittal.
   • Wanting to please both sides, he straddled the issue.
4. (transitive) To form a disorderly sprawl; to spread out irregularly.
   • This weed straddles the entire garden.
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).

See all 15 meanings of straddle