caparison

American  

[kuh-par-uh-suhn] / kəˈpær ə sən /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cover with a caparison.

2. to dress richly; deck.

caparison British  

/ kəˈpærɪsən /

noun

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

2. rich or elaborate clothing and ornaments

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verb

1. (tr) to put a caparison on

Other Word Forms

• uncaparisoned
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of caparison

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

Example Sentences

Caparisoned in Capote's crisp, shining prose, she and her raffish companions seem like characters from a tawdry but real bedtime story.

From Time Magazine Archive

Caparisoned in a neat, double-breasted suit and alert amiability, Sidney Hillman acted as if he were just sitting down with the investigators to talk things over.

From Time Magazine Archive

Caparisoned with pearls, ten milk-white steeds Are harnessed to her chariot that leads; On snow-white swans beside her ride her maids, They come! through yonder silver cloudy glades!

From Babylonian and Assyrian Literature by Anonymous

Then they put me upon a gallant steed Caparisoned most splendidly—they rode, Cousins and many others by my side.

From Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays by Various