palfrey

noun

pal·​frey ˈpȯl-frē How to pronounce palfrey (audio)
plural palfreys
archaic
: a saddle horse other than a warhorse
especially : a lady's light easy-gaited horse

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French palefrei, from Medieval Latin palafredus, from Late Latin paraveredus post-horse for secondary roads, from Greek para- beside, subsidiary + Late Latin veredus post-horse, from a Gaulish word akin to Welsh gorwydd horse; akin to Old Irish réidid he rides — more at para-, ride

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of palfrey was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near palfrey

palfrenier

palfrey

Palgrave

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Palfrey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palfrey. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

palfrey

noun
pal·​frey ˈpȯl-frē How to pronounce palfrey (audio)
plural palfreys
archaic
: a saddle horse that is not a war-horse
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