light horse

American  

noun

1. cavalry carrying light arms and equipment.

---

light horse British  

noun

1. lightly armed and highly mobile cavalry

---

Other Word Forms

• light-horseman noun

Etymology

Origin of light horse

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

A recent military video showed troops from a mounted infantry unit known as the Light Horse Regiment winding through gum trees on the bikes.

From Washington Post

Washington ordered Major “Light Horse Harry” Lee to take charge of what today would be called a special operation: the kidnapping of Benedict Arnold.

From Literature

At City Tavern, the framers’ unofficial watering hole four blocks from Independence Hall, Washington was the guest of the Light Horse of Philadelphia, a volunteer cavalry corps that had crossed the Delaware with Washington and wintered at Valley Forge.

From Washington Post

“The Australian Light Horse were not meant to fight on horseback - they were mounted infantry, and they were to ride to the battle, dismount. One man would hold the horses, three others would go in and fight like infantry,” Turnbull said at the memorial ceremony.

From Reuters

Dozens of history buffs, including descendents of the soldiers of the 4th Brigade of the Australian Light Horse, the cavalry force that charged the Turkish positions, came to Beersheba to parade on horseback through the streets and stage a re-enactment.

From Reuters