cheval de frise

plural chevaux de frise · alternative cheval-de-frise

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

   Round the crucified animal long, sharp bamboo stakes are placed, which form chevaux de frise round about it. These commemorate the days when such defences surrounded the villages on all sides to keep off human enemies.

   1909, Major A. Playfair, The Garos, page 92

   1 more example

   The mountains of Colorado were, till a comparatively recent date, richly clothed with forest; but owing partly to natural causes, and still more to the lavish consumption and reckless destruction of the early settlers, the quantity of growing timber in the State is exceedingly small, and before long, if restorative measures are not adopted, the Colorado demand for wood will require to be supplied from without. Whole mountain sides often present the appearance of monstrous cheavaux-de-frise, the dead trunks of the wind-thrown pines being tossed about in all directions.

   1878, "Colorado", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. VI, p. 162

2. Protective row of spikes or broken glass set into the top of a wall and used to prevent intrusion.
3. archaicfashionThe jagged edge of 18th-century women's clothing.