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Webster 1913 Edition
Palfrey
Pal′frey
,Noun.
[OE.
palefrai
, OF. palefrei
, F. palefroi
, LL. palafredus
, parafredus
, from L. paraveredus
a horse for extraordinary occasions, an extra post horse; Gr. παρά
along, beside + L. veredus
a post horse.] 1.
A saddle horse for the road, or for state occasions, as distinguished from a war horse.
Chaucer.
2.
A small saddle horse for ladies.
Spenser.
Call the host and bid him bring
Charger and
Charger and
palfrey
. Tennyson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Palfrey
PAL'FREY
,Noun.
1.
A horse used by noblemen and others for state, distinguished from a war horse.2.
A small horse fit for ladies.Definition 2025
Palfrey
palfrey
palfrey
See also: Palfrey
English
Noun
palfrey (plural palfreys)
- (historical) A small horse with a smooth, ambling gait, popular in the Middle Ages with nobles and women.
- 1793, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Christabel, lines 84-85 (for syntax)
- They choked my cries with force and fright,
- And tied me on a palfrey white.
- 1793, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Christabel, lines 84-85 (for syntax)
Middle English
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman palefrei (“steed”), from Old French palefroi, from Late Latin post horse, spare horse, from Ancient Greek παρά (pará) + Latin post horse, from Gaulish *werēdos (“horse”), from Proto-Celtic *uɸorēdos (“horse”).
Noun
palfrey (plural palfreys)
Descendants
- English: palfrey