cheval de frise

• cheval-de-frise

Borrowed from French cheval de frise (“Frisian horse”), so named because it was employed by the Dutch (who lacked cavalry) against the Spanish cavalry in their war for independence.

• IPA^(key): /ʃəˈvɑːl də ˈfɹiːs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

cheval de frise (plural chevaux de frise)

1. (military) An obstacle made of wood with spikes, for use against attacking cavalry.
   • 1878, "Colorado", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. VI, p. 162:

     The mountains of Colorado were, till a comparatively recent date, richly clothed with forest; but owing partly to natural causes, and still more to the lavish consumption and reckless destruction of the early settlers, the quantity of growing timber in the State is exceedingly small, and before long, if restorative measures are not adopted, the Colorado demand for wood will require to be supplied from without. Whole mountain sides often present the appearance of monstrous cheavaux-de-frise, the dead trunks of the wind-thrown pines being tossed about in all directions.

2. Protective row of spikes or broken glass set into the top of a wall and used to prevent intrusion.
3. (archaic, fashion) The jagged edge of 18th-century women's clothing.

• IPA^(key): /ʃə.val də fʁiz/

cheval de frise m (plural chevaux de frise)

1. cheval de frise