the.com/stirrup
The metal loop that turned riders into a cavalry that could topple empires.
means A loop of metal, leather, or wood hung from each side of a saddle to support a rider's foot.
from From Old English 'stigrap,' a compound of 'stige' (climbing, mounting — related to the verb 'stigan,' to climb) and 'rap' (rope). Literally a 'climbing-rope': the earliest stirrups were quite plausibly just a looped cord to haul yourself up onto a horse, long before they became the rigid metal foot-loops that anchored armored riders and reshaped warfare.
war machineStirrups enabled lance charges that birthed medieval knighthood
late arrivalRomans conquered without them; arrived around 4th century China
inner earYour smallest bone is named the stapes, Latin for stirrup
two-word ladderComes from Old English meaning climbing rope
gym afterlifeLives on in pant straps and ballet legwear