STRADDLE

straddle

(noun) 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

straddle, span

(noun) the act of sitting or standing astride

straddle

(noun) a gymnastic exercise performed with a leg on either side of the parallel bars

straddle

(noun) a noncommittal or equivocal position

range, straddle

(verb) range or extend over; occupy a certain area; “The plants straddle the entire state”

straddle

(verb) be noncommittal

straddle

(verb) sit or stand astride of

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

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

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.

(military) 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).

(poker) To place a voluntary raise prior to receiving cards (only by the first player after the blinds).

(intransitive) To stand with the ends staggered; said of the spokes of a wagon wheel where they join the hub.

(economy) To execute a commodities market spread.

Noun

straddle (plural straddles)

A posture in which one straddles something.

(finance) An investment strategy involving simultaneous trade with put and call options on same security with positions that offset one another.

(poker) A voluntary raise made prior to receiving cards by the first player after the blinds.

(mining) A vertical mine-timber supporting a set.

Adverb

straddle (not comparable)

Astride.

Source: Wiktionary

Strad"dle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Straddled; p. pr. & vb. n. Straddling.] Etym: [Freq. from the root of stride.]

1. To part the legs wide; to stand or to walk with the legs far apart.

2. To stand with the ends staggered; -- said of the spokes of a wagon wheel where they join the hub.

Strad"dle, v. t.

Definition: To place one leg on one side and the other on the other side of; to stand or sit astride of; as, to straddle a fence or a horse.

Strad"dle, n.

1. The act of standing, sitting, or walking, with the feet far apart.

2. The position, or the distance between the feet, of one who straddles; as, a wide straddle.

3. A stock option giving the holder the double privilege of a "put" and a "call," i. e., securing to the buyer of the option the right either to demand of the seller at a certain price, within a certain time, certain securities, or to require him to take at the same price, and within the same time, the same securities. [Broker's Cant]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition