caparison

[ kuh-par-uh-suhn ]

noun

1. a decorative covering for a horse or for the tack or harness of a horse; trappings.
2. rich and sumptuous clothing or equipment.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with a caparison.
2. to dress richly; deck.

caparison

/ kəˈpærɪsən /

noun

1. a decorated covering for a horse or other animal, esp (formerly) for a warhorse
2. rich or elaborate clothing and ornaments

verb

1. tr to put a caparison on

Other Words From

• unca·pari·soned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caparison¹

1585–95; < Middle French caparasson (now caparaçon ) < Old Spanish caparazón, akin to capa cape ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of caparison¹

C16: via obsolete French from Old Spanish caparazón saddlecloth, probably from capa cape ¹

Example Sentences

There were dogs and donkeys and palfreys in caparison and priests and farm wagons—whose wheels creaked like the day of judgment—and booths which sold gilt gingerbread, and shops where the finest bits of armour in the very latest fashions were displayed.

From Literature

The black motif would have also been on the prince's surcoat worn over his armour, and on the horse's caparison.

From BBC

In Kollum, a group calling itself the Pooram-Perunaal Celebration Committee was denied a permit to march 52 elephants in protest; the members dressed a bulldozer in a gold-plated caparison and marched with that instead.

From New York Times

Next there came into sight another horse, whose harness and caparison were of blue satin, fringed with gold and bestrewn with stars made of embroidery of gold stuff on a violet field.

From Project Gutenberg

The caparison of their horses is a halter and saddle.

From Project Gutenberg