A.sitting or seated upon, c. gen., λεόντων ἔφεδρε, of Cybele, S.Ph.401 (lyr.); “ἵππου” E.Ion202 (lyr.); “γῆς ἔ. στρατός” Id.Rh.954.
2. ἔφεδρον, τό, firm seat, bench, Hp.Fract.8.
II. sitting by, at, or near, τῶν πηδαλίων, of a helmsman, Pl.Plt. 273e: also c.dat., “σκηναῖς” E.Tr.139 (anap.):abs., ξύνεστιν ἔφεδρος lies close at hand, S.Aj.610 (lyr.).
2. posted in support or reserve, ἐφέδρους ἱππότας . . ἱππόταις ἔταξε posted horsemen to support horsemen, E.Ph.1095, cf. Plb.8.31.6, Onos.21.6, al.
3. lying by and watching, waiting on, τῶν καιρῶν, τοῖς καιροῖς, Plb.3.12.6, Fr.160, cf. Call.Del. 125; ἔ. βίου waiting upon his life, i.e.for his death, Men.663; χαλεπώτατοι ἔ., of debtors in a city, Aen.Tact.14.1.
4. the third competitor in contests, who sits by to fight the conqueror, Pi.N.4.96, E.Rh.119, Ar. Ra.792, cf. Luc.Herm.41 sq.; “πρὸς βασιλέα τὸν μέγιστον ἔφεδρον ἀγωνιζόμεθα” X.An.2.5.10; “καθάπερ ἔ. ἀθλητῇ” Plu.Sull.29; “Κράσσος, ὃς ἔ. ἦν ἀμφοῖν” Id.Caes.28; “ἔ. τοῦ ἀγῶνος” Id.Pomp.53; μόνος ὢν ἔφεδρος δισσοῖς, i.e. one against two, with no one to take his place if beaten, A.Ch.866 (anap.).