straddle

Plural: straddles

Noun

a noncommittal or equivocal position
a gymnastic exercise performed with a leg on either side of the parallel bars
the act of sitting or standing astride
the option to buy or sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date; consists of an equal number of put and call options
A posture in which one straddles something.
A pair or salvo of successive artillery shots falling both in front of and behind a target.
An investment strategy involving simultaneous trade with put and call options on the same security at the same strike price, giving a non-directional position sensitive to volatility.
A voluntary raise made prior to receiving cards by the first player after the blinds.
A vertical mine-timber supporting a set.
A part of a harness placed on the back of a beast of burden (such as a horse or donkey) to carry the weight of a load.

Verb

Verb Forms: straddled, straddling, straddles

To sit or stand with legs on either side; to be in two positions.
sit or stand astride of
range or extend over; occupy a certain area
- "The plants straddle the entire state"
be noncommittal
To sit or stand with a leg on each side of something; to sit astride.
To be on both sides of something; to have parts that are in different places, regions, etc.
To consider or favor two apparently opposite sides; to be noncommittal.
To form a disorderly sprawl; to spread out irregularly.
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).
To place a voluntary raise prior to receiving cards (only by the first player after the blinds).
To stand with the ends staggered; said of the spokes of a wagon wheel where they join the hub.
To execute a commodities market spread.

Adv

Astride.

Examples

Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
He managed to STRADDLE two double-letter scores with one clever word.
The first salvo fell short; the next was long; the third was a straddle.
This weed straddles the entire garden.
Wanting to please both sides, he straddled the issue.

Origin / Etymology

As a verb, attested since the 1560s. Most likely, an alteration of dialectal striddle. The noun is first attested in the 1610s.

Synonyms

range, span, stride

Scrabble Score: 10

straddle: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
straddle: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
straddle: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

straddle: valid Words With Friends Word