withers
/ˈwɪðəz
/plural noun
The highest part of a horse’s back, lying at the base of the neck above the shoulders. The height of a horse is measured to the withers.The hands of an intermediate rider move only about six to eight inches in front of the horse's withers in a short crest release....
- Horses differ greatly in their oral cavity, and that difference is not proportional to height at the withers.
- As you approach the center of the circle, swing your primary line so that it is behind the horse's withers.
Origin
Early 16th century: apparently a reduced form of widersome, from obsolete wither- 'against, contrary' (as the part that resists the strain of the collar) + a second element of obscure origin.
Rhymes
- quick heel
- quickie
- quicking
- quick-in-hand
- quick-in-the-hand
- quickish
- quick kick
- quick kill
- quick-knit
- quicklike
- quicklime
- quick-loader
- quick-look
- quick-lunch
- quickly
- quick march
- quick-match
- quick-minded
- quick-mire
- quick-moving
- quickness
- quick one
- quick on the draw
- quick on the trigger
- quick reference