cheval-de-frise
[ shuh-val-duh-freez ]
/ ʃəˈvæl dəˈfriz /
noun, plural che·vaux-de-frise [shuh-voh-duh-freez] /ʃəˈvoʊ dəˈfriz/. Usually chevaux-de-frise.
a portable obstacle, usually a sawhorse, covered with projecting spikes or barbed wire, for military use in closing a passage, breaking in a defensive wall, etc.
Origin of cheval-de-frise
1680–90; < French; literally, horse of Friesland, so called because first used by Frisians
Words nearby cheval-de-frise
chetrum,
chetumal,
cheval de bataille,
cheval glass,
cheval screen,
cheval-de-frise,
chevalet,
chevalier,
chevalier-montrachet,
chevaux-de-frise,
chevee
British Dictionary definitions for cheval de frise
cheval-de-frise
/ (ʃəˌvældəˈfriːz) /
noun plural chevaux-de-frise (ʃəˌvəʊdəˈfriːz)
a portable barrier of spikes, sword blades, etc, used to obstruct the passage of cavalry
a row of spikes or broken glass set as an obstacle on top of a wall
Word Origin for cheval-de-frise
C17: from French, literally: horse from Friesland (where it was first used)