bat-horse

A bat-horse carries supplies for the soldiers.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pack horse: "bat-horse" refers to a horse used for carrying burdens or supplies, especially in military or expeditionary contexts. It is derived from "bat," an old term for a packsaddle, combined with "horse."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The soldiers loaded the bat-horse with tents and provisions before the march. (A horse carrying supplies for the army.)
  • In the Himalayas, the expedition relied on a bat-horse to transport equipment to base camp. (A pack horse used for heavy loads.)

Advanced Usage

• "to work as a bat-horse": to function as a beast of burden.
  • During the colonial era, many bat-horses were used to move goods across rugged terrain. (They were employed for carrying loads.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bat (n): a packsaddle, or a pack or load carried by a horse.
  • The bat was carefully strapped to the horse's back. (The packsaddle or load.)
• Horse (n): a large domesticated animal used for riding, pulling, or carrying loads.
  • The horse was strong enough to carry heavy packs. (The animal itself.)

Synonyms

• Pack horse: a horse trained to carry loads.
• Sumpter horse: an archaic term for a horse that carries burdens, especially in a military train.
• Beast of burden: any animal used for carrying heavy loads.

Related Idioms