PALFREY  , a

riding-horse, particularly' one of smaller and lighter type than the war-horse, the " destrier " (Med . Lat. dextrarius, because led by the right hand till used), which was only ridden in battle or tournament . The palfrey was thus used on the march, &c., and also as a lady's riding-horse . " Palfrey " came into English through the O . Fr. pale/ ref, one of the numerous forms which the word took in its descent from the Late Lat. paraveredus, a hybrid word from Gr. irapd, in the sense of extra, and veredus, a post-horse, probably a Celtic word, for one who draws a rheda or carriage . The form parafredus gives the Mod . Ger . Pferd, horse, through the O.H.G. pfarifrid .