cheval-de-frise

[shuh-val-duh-freez]

che·val-de-frise

[shuh-val-duh-freez]
noun, plural che·vaux-de-frise [shuh-voh-duh-freez] . 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:
1680–90; < French; literally, horse of Friesland, so called because first used by Frisians
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Cheval-de-frise is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Collins
World English Dictionary
cheval-de-frise (ʃəˌvældəˈfriːz)
 
n , pl chevaux-de-frise
1.  a portable barrier of spikes, sword blades, etc, used to obstruct the passage of cavalry
2.  a row of spikes or broken glass set as an obstacle on top of a wall
 
[C17: from French, literally: horse from Friesland (where it was first used)]

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