drayhorse
Definition
Noun: 1. A large, powerful horse bred and used for pulling heavy loads, especially carts or wagons: A "drayhorse" is a type of draft horse specifically associated with pulling drays (low, strong carts without sides, used for heavy loads). It emphasizes the animal's strength and working function.
Usage
The word "drayhorse" is a specific, somewhat dated term. It is used to refer to the horse itself, focusing on its role as a beast of burden. - The brewery used a team of sturdy drayhorses to deliver barrels of ale. - Before trucks, the drayhorse was essential for urban transport and delivery.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used figuratively to describe a person who performs very hard, physical labor.
- After years of working in construction, he was as strong and dependable as an old drayhorse.
Variants and Related Words
- Dray (noun): The heavy cart or wagon that a drayhorse pulls.
- Draft horse (noun, US) / Draught horse (noun, UK): The general category of large, muscular horses used for pulling heavy loads. "Drayhorse" is a specific type within this category.
- Cart horse (noun): A similar term, often used interchangeably with "drayhorse," though it may imply slightly lighter work.
Synonyms
- Draft horse / Draught horse
- Cart horse
- Workhorse (can also refer to a person or machine that works tirelessly)
- Percheron, Shire, Clydesdale (These are specific breeds of draft/dray horses)
Antonyms
- Racehorse
- Saddle horse
- Pony
Related Idioms or Phrases
- To work like a drayhorse: To work extremely hard at physical labor.
- He worked like a drayhorse all day to finish the job.
Noun
-
draft horse kept for pulling carts
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