chevaux-de-frise

[ shuh-voh-duh-freez ]
/ ʃəˈvoʊ dəˈfriz /

noun

plural of cheval-de-frise.

Words nearby chevaux-de-frise

Definition for chevaux-de-frise (2 of 2)

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

Example sentences from the Web for chevaux-de-frise

British Dictionary definitions for chevaux-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)