dray horse
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A large, powerful horse specifically bred and trained for pulling heavy loads, typically in a dray (a low, strong cart or wagon without sides).
Usage
The term "dray horse" specifically describes the type of horse and its primary function. It is used to distinguish these strong workhorses from riding horses, racehorses, or lighter carriage horses. * The brewery used a team of dray horses to deliver barrels of beer. * Before trucks, dray horses were essential for moving freight in cities.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe a person or thing of great strength and stamina, though this is less common.
- He was the dray horse of the team, doing the bulk of the difficult, unglamorous work.
Variants and Related Words
- Draught horse (British English spelling): This is the more common spelling in British English and has the same meaning.
- Draft horse (American English spelling): The standard American English spelling of "draught horse."
- Carthorse: A general term for a horse used to pull heavy carts or wagons.
- Workhorse: A broader term for any horse used for hard work; can also be used figuratively for a person or machine.
Synonyms
- Cart horse
- Draught horse / Draft horse
- Percheron (refers to a specific breed often used as a dray horse)
- Shire (refers to a specific breed often used as a dray horse)
Antonyms
- Pony
- Racehorse
- Riding horse
- Saddle horse
Noun
- horse adapted for drawing heavy loads