palfrey

American  

[pawl-free] / ˈpɔl fri /

noun

plural

palfreys

1. a riding horse, as distinguished from a war horse.

2. a saddle horse particularly suitable for a woman.

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palfrey British  

/ ˈpɔːlfrɪ /

noun

1. archaic a light saddle horse, esp ridden by women

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Other Word Forms

• palfreyed adjective

Etymology

Origin of palfrey

1200–50; Middle English palefrei < Old French < Late Latin paraverēdus post horse for byways, probably literally, spare horse, equivalent to Greek para- para- ¹ + Latin verēdus fast breed of horse < Gaulish < Celtic *woreidos (> Welsh gorwydd horse, charger), equivalent to *wo- under (< *upo-; hypo- ) + *reid-, base of Old Irish réidid (he) rides, réid level, smooth, easy, Welsh rhwydd easy; ride

Example Sentences

But Galadriel sat upon a white palfrey and was robed all in glimmering white, like clouds about the Moon; for she herself seemed to shine with a soft light.

From Literature

Then he said, “It shall be done, master,” and turned his ambling palfrey against the stream of newcomers.

From Literature

It was there I saw a woman riding sidesaddle astride a great black palfrey whose saddle and harness were trimmed with gleaming silver.

From Literature

Most of their palfreys were gone as well.

From Literature

Leading his horse and the horse limping, head down, head down, as fine a horse as I’ve ever seen — a fair gray palfrey, a wondrous horse — but I was gazing at the boy.

From Literature