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

Other Word Forms

• palfreyed adjective

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

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

Example Sentences

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 Literature

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.

From Literature

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

From Literature

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

From Literature

I was ashamed to be caught staring, but I put my hands on the palfrey, and he gentled, as they always do.

From Literature