warhorse

or war-horse, war horse

[ wawr-hawrs ]

noun

1. a horse used in war; charger.
2. Informal. a veteran, as a soldier or politician, of many struggles and conflicts.
3. a musical composition, play, etc., that has been seen, heard, or performed excessively.

warhorse

/ ˈwɔːˌhɔːs /

noun

1. a horse used in battle
2. informal.
   a veteran soldier, politician, or elderly person, esp one who is aggressive

Word History and Origins

Origin of warhorse¹

First recorded in 1645–55; war ¹ + horse

Example Sentences

The city of Liverpool, on the west coast of England, always suggests to me some heroic old warhorse of an opera.

From The Daily Beast

I confessed to the school that I was somewhat of a burnt-out old warhorse who knew nothing about their profession.

From The Daily Beast

The old Garibaldian threw up his head like a warhorse at the call of battle, and his rickety limbs were going towards the door.

From Project Gutenberg

Mme. Fortin straightened herself up like an old warhorse that hears the sound of the bugle.

From Project Gutenberg

A Dog of Knowledge has free utterance; but the Warhorse is almost mute, very far from free!

From Project Gutenberg

Beneath him was his great yellow warhorse, caracoling and curveting as he went, as blithe and free of spirit as his master.

From Project Gutenberg

And at what he saw he gave an exclamation, sharp and low, and his eyes glittered like those of a warhorse which scents battle.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• old-timer