cheval-de-frise

che·val–de–frise

noun \shə-ˌval-də-ˈfrēz\

plural che·vaux–de–frise\shə-ˌvō-\

Definition of CHEVAL-DE-FRISE

1

: a defense consisting typically of a timber or an iron barrel covered with projecting spikes and often strung with barbed wire

2

: a protecting line (as of spikes) on top of a wall —usually used in plural

Origin of CHEVAL-DE-FRISE

French, literally, horse from Friesland

First Known Use: 1668