A*stride" (&?;), adv. [Pref. a- + stride.] With one leg on each side, as a man when on horseback; with the legs stretched wide apart; astraddle.
Placed astride upon the bars of the palisade.
Sir W. Scott.
Glasses with horn bows sat astride on his nose.
Longfellow.
As*trif"er*ous (acr/s*trf"r*s), a. [L. astrifer; astrum star + ferre to bear.] Bearing stars. [R.] Blount.
As*tringe" (s*trnj"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astringed (-trnjd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Astringing (-jng).] [L. astringere; ad + stringere to draw tight. Cf. Astrict, and see Strain, v. t.] 1. To bind fast; to constrict; to contract; to cause parts to draw together; to compress.
Which contraction . . . astringeth the moisture of the brain and thereby sendeth tears into the eyes.
Bacon.