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-; cf. hypo-) + *reid-, base of Old Irish réidid (he) rides, réid level, smooth, easy, Welsh rhwydd easy; see ride

Example Sentences

The huntsman, drawn in a simple wagon by a white palfrey, has concealed himself and the wagon behind leaves and branches.

From Time Magazine Archive

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 "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

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

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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

From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi

Catelyn glanced over her shoulder as Lord Renly's palfrey picked her way through the stumps.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin