cheval-de-frise
[ shuh-val-duh-freez ]
/ ʃəˈvæl dəˈfriz /
noun, plural che·vaux-de-frise [shuh-voh-duh-freez] /ʃəˈvoʊ dəˈfriz/. Usually chevaux-de-frise.
a portable obstacle, usually a sawhorse, covered with projecting spikes or barbed wire, for military use in closing a passage, breaking in a defensive wall, etc.
Nearby words
chetrum, chetumal, cheval de bataille, cheval glass, cheval screen, cheval-de-frise, chevalet, chevalier, chevalier, maurice, chevalier-montrachet, chevaux-de-frise
Origin of cheval-de-frise
1680–90; < French; literally, horse of Friesland, so called because first used by Frisians
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for cheval de frise
cheval-de-frise
/ (ʃəˌvældəˈfriːz) /
noun plural chevaux-de-frise (ʃəˌvəʊdəˈfriːz)
a portable barrier of spikes, sword blades, etc, used to obstruct the passage of cavalry
a row of spikes or broken glass set as an obstacle on top of a wall
Word Origin for cheval-de-frise
C17: from French, literally: horse from Friesland (where it was first used)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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