war-horse

war-horse

A knight rides his war-horse across a grassy plain.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A horse used in battle: "war-horse" refers to a horse that is trained and employed for military combat, historically used by cavalry or knights.
    • A veteran or experienced person: "war-horse" also denotes a person, especially a politician or performer, who has been active for a long time and is known for their endurance and reliability, often recalling past events or stories.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (literal):

    • The knight rode his faithful war-horse into the thick of the battle. (A horse trained for combat.)
    • Ancient war-horses were often heavily armored to protect their riders. (Military horses from historical periods.)

  • Noun (figurative):

    • The old senator is a political war-horse who has served for decades. (An experienced and enduring politician.)
    • She is a war-horse of the theater, having performed in countless productions. (A veteran performer with a long career.)
Advanced Usage

  • "an old war-horse": a person who is very experienced in a particular field, often with a tendency to repeat old stories or reminiscences.

    • At the reunion, several old war-horses shared tales from their youth. (Veterans recalling past experiences.)

  • "to be a war-horse": to be known for one’s long service and resilience.

    • Despite his age, he remains a war-horse in the company, always ready to tackle new challenges. (A reliable, long-serving employee.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Warhorse (n): a variant spelling of "war-horse," used interchangeably.

    • The museum displayed a medieval warhorse's armor. (Same meaning as war-horse.)

  • War-horsing (v, rare): the act of behaving like a war-horse, especially in recalling past glories.

    • He spent the evening war-horsing about his military service. (Reminiscing excessively.)
Synonyms
  • Charger: a horse ridden in battle (literal).
  • Veteran: a person with long experience in a particular field (figurative).
  • Stalwart: a loyal, reliable, and hardworking person.
Related Idioms

  • "Old war-horse": a phrase used to describe someone who is very experienced and has been in a particular role or profession for a long time.

    • The coach is an old war-horse who has led the team to many victories. (A seasoned and respected leader.)

  • "War-horse of the stage": a veteran actor or performer.

    • Even in her eighties, she was a war-horse of the stage, captivating audiences. (An enduring performer.)