saddle

[/ˈsædəl/]
noun/verbfemininepl: saddles / selas
sela
1. A seat placed on the back of a horse or other animal for riding
The cowboy adjusted his saddle before mounting the horse.
O vaqueiro ajustou sua sela antes de montar no cavalo.
2. A ridge connecting two peaks of a mountain
The hikers crossed the saddle between the two mountains.
Os caminhantes cruzaram a sela entre as duas montanhas.
3. To place a saddle on an animal
She saddled her horse for the morning ride.
Ela selou seu cavalo para o passeio da manhã.
4. To burden someone with responsibility or obligation (figurative)
Don't saddle me with that problem.
Não me carregue com esse problema.
The saddle is deeply embedded in American frontier and cowboy culture, particularly in Western states like Texas and Wyoming. In Brazil, the saddle (sela) is significant in gaúcho (Southern Brazilian cowboy) culture, where traditional leather work and horsemanship remain important cultural elements.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
burdenloadencumbercharge
Antonyms / Antônimos
relieveunburdenlighten

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
sela
Most common term for the riding saddle
General Brazilian
selim
Used for bicycle or motorcycle seats
Rural Brazil
sela de trabalho
Work saddle used on ranches
Portugal
sela
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; traditional riding equipment

Related Words

horsebridlestirrupreinsmountequestrian

Related Idioms & Phrases

saddle up - to prepare to do something or get ready for action
in the saddle - in control or in a position of authority
saddle with - to burden someone with an unpleasant responsibility
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →