Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural che·vaux-de-frise [shuh–voh-duh–freez] /ʃəˈvoʊ dəˈfriz/. 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.
noun plural chevaux-de-frise (ʃəˌvəʊdəˈfriːz)
- a portable barrier of spikes, sword blades, etc, used to obstruct the passage of cavalry
- a row of spikes or broken glass set as an obstacle on top of a wall
1680s, from French, literally “horse of Frisia,” supposedly because it was first employed there as a defense against cavalry; from French cheval “horse” (see cavalier (n.)). Plural chevaux de frise.