caparison

[ kuh-par-uh-suhn ]
See synonyms for caparison on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a decorative covering for a horse or for the tack or harness of a horse; trappings.

  2. rich and sumptuous clothing or equipment.

verb (used with object)
  1. to cover with a caparison.

  2. to dress richly; deck.

Origin of caparison

1
1585–95; <Middle French caparasson (now caparaçon) <Old Spanish caparazón, akin to capacape1

Other words from caparison

  • un·ca·par·i·soned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use caparison in a sentence

  • At the right of the duke, and towering above him with its large body, ambles a camel richly caparisoned.

  • Close by her wheel, so that she could mount him at a moment's notice, was led Merodach, caparisoned with crimson and gold.

    Sarchedon | G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville
  • The Moor had also caparisoned himself, if we may say so, for the intended visit, and he had evidently done it in haste.

    The Middy and the Moors | R.M. Ballantyne
  • He wore a robe of crimson satin lined with black velvet, and his black horse was richly caparisoned.

    The Court Jester | Cornelia Baker
  • Then came the Knight Marshal on a caparisoned steed, himself in a suit of gilt armour, and in a richly embroidered surcoat.

    Endymion | Benjamin Disraeli

British Dictionary definitions for caparison

caparison

/ (kəˈpærɪsən) /


noun
  1. a decorated covering for a horse or other animal, esp (formerly) for a warhorse

  2. rich or elaborate clothing and ornaments

verb
  1. (tr) to put a caparison on

Origin of caparison

1
C16: via obsolete French from Old Spanish caparazón saddlecloth, probably from capa cape 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012