Palfrey
PALFREY, a riding-horse, particularly one of smaller and lighter type than the war-horse, the " destrier " (Med. Lat. de.xtrarius, because led by the right hand till used), which was only ridden in battle or tournament. The palfrey was thus used on the march, etc., and also as a lady's riding-horse. " Palfrey " came into English through the O. Fr. palefrei, one of the numerous forms which the word took in its descent from the Late Lat. paraveredus, a hybrid word from Or. Trapd, in the sense of extra, and vercdus, a post-horse, probably a Celtic word, for one who draws a rheda or carriage. The foim parafrcdus gives the Mod. Ger. Pferd, horse, through the O.H.G. pfarifrid.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
