cheval-de-frise

[ shuh-val-duh-freez ]

noun

, plural che·vaux-de-frise [sh, uh, -, voh, -d, uh, -, freez].

1. 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.

cheval-de-frise

/ ʃəˌvældəˈfriːz /

noun

1. a portable barrier of spikes, sword blades, etc, used to obstruct the passage of cavalry
2. a row of spikes or broken glass set as an obstacle on top of a wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheval-de-frise¹

1680–90; < French; literally, horse of Friesland, so called because first used by Frisians

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheval-de-frise¹

C17: from French, literally: horse from Friesland (where it was first used)

Example Sentences

Whence also cheval de frise, a contrivance used by the Frieslanders against cavalry.

From Project Gutenberg

The cheval de frise had given way under the strain upon it, and the rope had dropped on to the coping of the wall itself.

From Project Gutenberg

A cheval-de-frise consists of a horizontal piece of timber armed with wooden or iron lances, which project some eight or ten feet.

From Project Gutenberg

These must be sharpened, and as the walls are built, fixed among the stones so as to make a cheval-de-frise.

From Project Gutenberg

But between the hunters and their fallen quarry reared a cheval de frise of flame and fallen timber impossible to cross.

From Project Gutenberg