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on horseback
2. 
/ˈhɔːsbæk/. esp. in Phrases. on horseback ( †a horseback).† c. to horseback, upon horseback; to horse. Obsolete.
extracted from horsebackn.adv./ˈhɔːsbæk/. esp. in Phrases. on horseback ( †a horseback). a. Sitting or riding on a horse.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > [adverb] > on horseback
on horsea1325
on horseback1390
on steed-backc1400
alofta1425
ahorseback?1473
horseback1727
ahorse1805
saddleback1899
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 260 This knight, whiche hoved and abode Embuisshed upon horsebake.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) v. 58 Be this Desert, no Man may go on Hors back.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xvii. 18 They are all a hors~backe.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Esther vi. C Aman..broughte him on horszbacke thorow the strete of the cite.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Maladie Diseases come a horsebacke, and returne on foot.
1627 W. Duncomb tr. V. d'Audiguier Tragi-comicall Hist. our Times i. 21 Many of the chiefe courtiers were a horse-backe.
1668 J. Flavell Saint Indeed 108 That such a begger should ride on horse-back and such a Prince run after it on foot!
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 113 A couple of robbers a-horseback suddenly appeared.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iii. 351 In an age when even princesses performed their journeys on horseback.
b. of motion: (Mounting) upon a horse. So from, off horseback.
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society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > [adverb] > mounting a horse
on horseback1490
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) vii. 28 The knyght mounted hastely on horsbake.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 42/1 They founde the kinge with his companie readye to leape on horsebacke.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 420 Counterfeit shapes of men set on horseback.
1704 N. N. tr. T. Boccalini Advts. from Parnassus III. 175 A certain Great King..fell off Horse-back.
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 285 The Dragoons..get a Horseback.
1740 tr. C. de F. de Mouhy Fortunate Country Maid II. 273 A Man just alighted from Horseback.
1809 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. XV. xii. 429 Set a beggar on horse-back, and he'll ride to the devil.
1899 N.E.D. at Horse-back Mod. He had some difficulty in climbing on horseback.
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a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 2466 To hors-back went thay in ffere.
c1500 Melusine (1895) liv. 331 He made to go to horsback hys brother and his x knightes.
1562 J. Heywood Sixt Hundred Epigrammes ix, in Wks. sig. Ccv Then must she to horsbacke.
1594 R. Ashley tr. L. le Roy Interchangeable Course x. f. 108 A stool to help him to horsback.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 307 Before you goe to Horssebacke, first stroke your Horsse.
d. Short for: Riding on horseback.
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society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > [noun]
roadeOE
ridinga1325
horse-ridingc1610
bull riding1835
horseback1878
1878 ‘G. Eliot’ in Life (1885) III. 332 Mr. Lewes did once try horseback, some years ago.
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