Cheval-de-frise

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Cheval-de-frise \Che*val"-de-frise"\, n.; commonly used in the
     pl. {Chevaux-de-frise}. [F.; cheval horse + Frise Friesland,
     where it was first used.] (Mil.)
     A piece of timber or an iron barrel traversed with
     iron-pointed spikes or spears, five or six feet long, used to
     defend a passage, stop a breach, or impede the advance of


     cavalry, etc.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Obstructions of chain, boom, and cheval-de-frise. --W.
                                                    Irving.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  cheval-de-frise
       n : defensive structure consisting of a movable obstacle
           composed of barbed wire or spikes attached to a wooden
           frame; used to obstruct cavalry [syn: {chevaux-de-frise}]
       [also: {chevaux-de-frise} (pl)]