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Bestriding: meaning, definitions and examples

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bestriding

 

[ bɪˈstraɪdɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

physical action

To bestride means to stand or sit with a leg on either side of something, typically in an assertive or dominant position. It can also mean to extend over or dominate something in a figurative sense.

Synonyms

mount, sit over, straddle

Examples of usage

  • He was bestriding the horse confidently.
  • The statue was found bestriding the entrance to the plaza.
  • She seemed to bestride the difficulties in life with ease.

Translations

Translations of the word "bestriding" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cavalgar

🇮🇳 घुड़सवारी करना

🇩🇪 reiten

🇮🇩 menunggangi

🇺🇦 верхова їзда

🇵🇱 jazda konna

🇯🇵 騎乗

🇫🇷 équitation

🇪🇸 montar a caballo

🇹🇷 ata binmek

🇰🇷 말 타기

🇸🇦 ركوب الخيل

🇨🇿 jízda na koni

🇸🇰 jazda na koni

🇨🇳 骑马

🇸🇮 jahanje

🇮🇸 hestamennska

🇰🇿 атқа міну

🇬🇪 horseback riding

🇦🇿 at sürmək

🇲🇽 montar a caballo

Word origin

The word 'bestride' comes from the Old English 'bestrīdan', which is a combination of 'be-' meaning 'by' or 'about' and 'strīdan' meaning 'to stride' or 'to step'. The word has historical roots in the early Germanic languages, with similar forms appearing in Old High German as 'bistritan' and Old Norse as 'bestrīða'. Its usage has evolved over time, encapsulating both the literal act of sitting astride something and the metaphorical sense of dominating or controlling a situation. By the Middle Ages, 'bestride' was commonly used in literary texts to describe knights and nobles riding horses, reflecting the social hierarchies of the time. Today, it can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, illustrating its versatility in the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,280, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.