cheval-de-frise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / SpecialistTechnical / Historical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “cheval-de-frise” mean?
A portable defensive obstacle, typically consisting of a wooden frame with projecting spikes or barbed wire, used to block passage, especially against cavalry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A portable defensive obstacle, typically consisting of a wooden frame with projecting spikes or barbed wire, used to block passage, especially against cavalry.
A structure or arrangement designed to impede or prevent passage, often used metaphorically to describe any formidable barrier or deterrent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The term is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes pre-modern warfare, static defense, and historical sieges.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora. Slightly more likely in British texts due to older historical narratives, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “cheval-de-frise” in a Sentence
[Verb] a cheval-de-frisea cheval-de-frise [Verb] the approachprotected by a cheval-de-friseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cheval-de-frise” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Royal Engineers quickly assembled a cheval-de-frise to protect the camp's perimeter.
- A surviving cheval-de-frise can be seen at the site of the old fortress.
American English
- The reenactors demonstrated how a cheval-de-frise would halt a cavalry charge.
- The museum's model included a detailed cheval-de-frise at the gate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, military history, or architectural history papers.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely.
Technical
Used in precise descriptions of historical fortifications or in some security contexts for describing modern spike strips.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cheval-de-frise”
- Pluralizing incorrectly ('chevals-de-frise'). Correct plural: 'chevaux-de-frise'.
- Mispronouncing 'frise' as 'freeze' instead of 'freez'.
- Confusing it with a mere fence or hedge.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It's primarily a historical term. Modern equivalents might be 'concertina wire', 'caltrops', or 'vehicle barricade spikes'.
It literally means 'Frisian horse'. The name likely originated because the device was first used in the Friesland region, or because it was as obstructive as a stationary horse.
British: /ˌʃəvəʊ də ˈfriːz/. American: /ʃəˌvoʊ də ˈfriz/.
Yes, though it's a very learned or literary metaphor. E.g., 'The legal paperwork was a cheval-de-frise designed to discourage claimants.'
A portable defensive obstacle, typically consisting of a wooden frame with projecting spikes or barbed wire, used to block passage, especially against cavalry.
Cheval-de-frise is usually technical / historical / literary in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FRIeSian horse (cheval) that can't be ridden because it's covered in sharp spikes—a spiky horse blocking the way.
Conceptual Metaphor
BARRIERS ARE SPIKED ANIMALS / DEFENSE IS A STATIC BEAST.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'cheval-de-frise'?