piaffe

American  

[pyaf] / pyæf /

noun

1. Also piaffer. a cadenced trot executed on one spot, with a well-elevated leg action.

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verb (used without object)

piaffed, piaffing

1. (of a horse) to execute such a movement.

2. (of a rider) to cause a horse to piaffe.

verb (used with object)

piaffed, piaffing

1. to cause (a horse) to piaffe.

piaffe British  

/ pɪˈæf /

noun

1. dressage a passage done on the spot

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Etymology

Origin of piaffe

First recorded in 1755–65, piaffe is from the French word piaffer; imitative

Example Sentences

Eva’s task is Foley-ing a piece of film, shot inside a sawdust-strewn barn, depicting the piaffe: a graceful, animated trot in place.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2023

She must learn to make the sounds of a horse prancing in place, a dressage move known as a piaffe.

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2023

Among them is the piaffe — the distinctive, high-stepping, bouncing-in-place gait that gives the impression that horse and rider are getting excited about an imminent cup of tea.

From New York Times • Aug. 14, 2016

Thomas had a twelve-year-old dressage horse that was trained to Grand Prix level—dressage has eight “heights,” of which Grand Prix is the highest—but it was struggling for rhythm in its piaffe.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 1, 2016

Q. Ought we to make a horse piaffe who will not bear the rassembler?

From New Method of Horsemanship Including the Breaking and Training of Horses, with Instructions for Obtaining a Good Seat. by Baucher, F.