n. pl. pal·freys Archaic A small saddle horse with a smooth gait, especially as distinguished from a warhorse or a packhorse. [Middle English, from Old French palefrei, from Medieval Latin palafrēdus, alteration of Late Latin paraverēdus, post horse for secondary routes, extra horse : Greek para, extra, beyond; see per1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + Latin verēdus, post horse (of Celtic origin; see reidh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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