Phrase guide

cheval de frise

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ʃəˈvɑːl də ˈfɹiːz/
  • /ʃəˈvɑːl də ˈfɹiːs/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An obstacle made of wood with spikes, for use against attacking cavalry.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, military, politics, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Protective row of spikes or broken glass set into the top of a wall and used to prevent intrusion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The jagged edge of 18th-century women's clothing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Topics: fashion, lifestyle

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from French cheval de frise (“Frisian horse”), so named because it was employed by the Dutch (who lacked cavalry) against the Spanish cavalry in their war for independence.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: cavall frisó — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • Danish: spansk rytter — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • Finnish: espanjalainen ratsastaja — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • German: spanischer Reiter — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • German: friesischer Reiter — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • Korean: 거마창 (geomachang) — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • Latin: cervus — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • Latin: cervulus — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • Romanian: cal de friză — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • Turkish: çarkıfelek — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • Ottoman Turkish: كرپی (kirpi) — obstacle made of wood with spikes
  • Ukrainian: рогатка (rohatka) — obstacle made of wood with spikes