palfrey, palefrai, palfry, palfray

[O. Fr. palefrei, palefroy, palefreid (Fr. palefroi ), from Low Lat. par ave red us, paravredus, para fred us, pal a fred us =a post-horse lit. an extra posthorse, from Gr. para =beside (hence, extra), and late Lat. veredus =a post-horse, from veho =to carry, and rheda a four-wheeled carriage; O. H. Ger. parefrit; Ger. pferd a horse.] 1. A small saddle-horse fit for a lady's use. "Her wonton palfrey all was over spred With tinsell trappings." Spenser: F. Q., I. ii. 13. 2. A saddle-horse: a horse used by noblemen and others on state occasions, as distinguished from a war-horse. "It is the prince of palfreys ; his neigh is like the bidding of a monarch."-Shakesp.: Henry F., iii. 7.