horseflesh

American  

[hawrs-flesh] / ˈhɔrsˌflɛʃ /

noun

1. the flesh of a horse.

2. horses collectively, especially for riding, racing, etc.

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horseflesh British  

/ ˈhɔːsˌflɛʃ /

noun

1. horses collectively

2. the flesh of a horse, esp edible horse meat

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Etymology

Origin of horseflesh

First recorded in 1490–1500; horse + flesh

Example Sentences

In the chaotic tangle of dust, horseflesh and steel, finding an unexpected advantage was not difficult for those unyoked from scruple.

From Salon • Aug. 10, 2024

Thanks to an eighth century papal order forbidding the consumption of horseflesh, horse bones rarely appear in medieval trash pits packed with cow, sheep, goat, and chicken bones.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 21, 2024

Elizabeth’s remedies for depression or bad times were work, fresh air and horseflesh.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2022

So is it more that Iowa creates the momentum or that Iowa Democratic voters have tended to be pretty good judges of candidate horseflesh?

From Fox News • Feb. 2, 2020

Underneath the cloying fragrance of the decaying flowers, the air was laced with the odors of gunpowder, damp hay, and the dusty musk of horseflesh.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros