Definition

1. Noun:

   • An ornamental covering for a horse, especially a warhorse: A "caparison" is a decorative cloth covering, often elaborate and richly adorned, placed over a horse's saddle and body. Historically, it was used for ceremonial occasions or to signify a knight's status in battle.

2. Verb:

   • To adorn a horse with a decorative covering: To "caparison" means to outfit or dress a horse with such an ornamental covering.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The knight's horse was draped in a magnificent caparison bearing his family crest.
  • The museum displayed a 16th-century caparison made of velvet and gold thread.

• Verb:

  • They will caparison the horses for the royal procession.
  • For the historical reenactment, the team caparisoned their steeds in authentic medieval style.

Advanced Usage

• "In full caparison": Describing a horse that is completely and elaborately outfitted with its decorative trappings.
  • The champion's horse stood in full caparison before the joust.

Variants and Related Words

• Caparisoned (adj): Describing a horse that has been outfitted with a caparison.
  • The caparisoned horses led the parade.

Synonyms

• Trappings (n): The decorative harness and ornaments for a horse.
• Barding (n): Specifically, armor or covering for a warhorse.
• Adorn (v): To decorate or add beauty to (a more general synonym for the verb form).

Related Phrases

• To deck out: To decorate something elaborately (a more general phrasal verb).
  • They decked out the horses for the festival. (This is a related concept but not a direct phrasal verb of "caparison").

Noun

1. stable gear consisting of a decorated covering for a horse, especially (formerly) for a warhorse

Verb

1. put a caparison on
   • caparison the horses for the festive occasion