chevaux-de-frise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Historical, Technical (Military)
Quick answer
What does “chevaux-de-frise” mean?
A defensive obstacle consisting of a portable frame with spikes or barbed wire, used to block enemy cavalry or infantry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A defensive obstacle consisting of a portable frame with spikes or barbed wire, used to block enemy cavalry or infantry.
Any similar spiked barrier or deterrent; metaphorically, a series of difficult obstacles or challenges.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical military defence; archaic engineering.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage outside of historical texts or discussions of fortifications.
Grammar
How to Use “chevaux-de-frise” in a Sentence
[verb] + chevaux-de-frise (e.g., deploy, construct, overcome)chevaux-de-frise + [prepositional phrase] (e.g., across the breach, before the wall)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chevaux-de-frise” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The engineers were ordered to chevaux-de-frise the perimeter overnight. (Note: Extremely rare/archaic verbal use)
American English
- The regiment chevaux-de-frised their position against a cavalry charge. (Note: Extremely rare/archaic verbal use)
adjective
British English
- The chevaux-de-frise defence proved effective. (Attributive noun use)
American English
- They faced a chevaux-de-frise obstacle. (Attributive noun use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, military history, or architectural history texts discussing early modern fortifications.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered.
Technical
Specific term in military history and historical engineering for a type of portable defensive obstacle.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chevaux-de-frise”
- Incorrect singular form (e.g., 'chevau-de-frise').
- Mispronunciation of 'frise' as 'freeze' instead of 'freez'.
- Using it as a countable noun with a regular plural (e.g., 'chevaux-de-frises').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both singular and plural. One chevaux-de-frise, two chevaux-de-frise. The word is invariable.
It comes from French, meaning 'Frisian horses'. It originated during the Eighty Years' War, where Frisian defenders used such devices effectively against Spanish cavalry.
Almost never in everyday language. It is a highly specialised historical and military term. You will find it in history books, museum displays, or discussions of historical fortifications.
In British English, it is pronounced like 'freeze' (/ˈfriːz/). In American English, it is also 'freez' (/ˈfriz/). The 's' is voiced like a 'z'.
A defensive obstacle consisting of a portable frame with spikes or barbed wire, used to block enemy cavalry or infantry.
Chevaux-de-frise is usually formal, historical, technical (military) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms use this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Chevaux' (sounds like 'shove oh') - you wouldn't want to shove a horse into a 'frise' (freeze) of sharp spikes.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSTACLES ARE SHARP/POINTED OBJECTS; DIFFICULTIES ARE PHYSICAL BARRIERS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'chevaux-de-frise'?