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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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • palfreyed adjective
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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
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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
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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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