*stride*

v. t. [ imp. Bestrode (Obs. or R.) Bestrid p. p. Bestridden Bestrid, Bestrode; p. pr. & vb. n. Bestriding. ] [ AS. bestrīdan; pref. be- + strīdan to stride. ] 1. To stand or sit with anything between the legs, or with the legs astride; to stand over [ 1913 Webster ]

That horse that thou so often hast bestrid. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To step over; to stride over or across; as, to bestride a threshold. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To surpass in striding. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To stride over or beyond. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who rides over a post road to carry the mails. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. Strode Obs. Strid ; p. p. Stridden Obs. Strid); p. pr. & vb. n. Striding. ] [ AS. strīdan to stride, to strive; akin to LG. striden, OFries. strīda to strive, D. strijden to strive, to contend, G. streiten, OHG. strītan; of uncertain origin. Cf. Straddle. ] 1. To walk with long steps, especially in a measured or pompous manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mars in the middle of the shining shield
Is graved, and strides along the liquid field. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To stand with the legs wide apart; to straddle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To pass over at a step; to step over. “A debtor that not dares to stride a limit.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To straddle; to bestride. [ 1913 Webster ]

I mean to stride your steed. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of stridding; a long step; the space measured by a long step; as, a masculine stride. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

God never meant that man should scale the heavens
By strides of human wisdom. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]