palfrey

[pawl-free]

noun

plural

palfreys 

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

2. a saddle horse particularly suitable for a woman.

palfrey

/ ˈpɔːlfrɪ /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• palfreyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of palfrey¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of palfrey¹

C12: from Old French palefrei, from Medieval Latin palafredus, from Late Latin paraverēdus, from Greek para beside + Latin verēdus light fleet horse, of Celtic origin

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.

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In the forest of the apple tree, indeed at the very foot of the tree itself, he came across a lady riding a white palfrey.

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

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Jon waited until the last echoes had faded, then spurred his palfrey forward where everyone could see him.

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I was ashamed to be caught staring, but I put my hands on the palfrey, and he gentled, as they always do.

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