caracole

[kar-uh-kohl]

noun

1. a half turn executed by a horse and rider.

2. Rare.,  a winding staircase.

verb (used without object)

caracoled, caracoling 

1. to execute caracoles; wheel.

caracole

/ ˈkærəˌkɒl, ˈkærəˌkəʊl /

noun

1. dressage a half turn to the right or left

2. a spiral staircase

verb

1. dressage to execute a half turn to the right or left

Other Word Forms

• caracoler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of caracole¹

1650–60; < French < Spanish caracol snail, spiral shell or stair, turning movement (of a horse)

Word History and Origins

Origin of caracole¹

C17: from French, from Spanish caracol snail, spiral staircase, turn

Example Sentences

Bryant Park around the corner doesn’t mind the butterfly caracoling off the side of three o’clock, the hour in the city visiting friends.

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Shadow’s mount caracoled away from it, and Shadow stroked its neck and told it not to be afraid.

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As he caracoled up and down before the house, with the sun shining on his fair head, he looked to my eyes as beautiful as Apollo.

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The Captain of Vlaye, stooping his sinewy figure to his companion, well became a horse that moved as he moved, and caracoled because he allowed it.

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The horses of our equestrians, in the pride of their beautiful breed and their bright, shining backs, caracoled incessantly, which ostentatious display of their muscular power in the morning light raised clouds of dust.

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Related Words

• fool around 
• gambol 
• romp