stringhalt

[ string-hawlt ]

noun

, Veterinary Pathology.

1. a nerve disorder in horses, causing exaggerated flexing movements of the hind legs in walking.

stringhalt

/ ˈstrɪŋˌhɔːlt /

noun

1. vet science a sudden spasmodic lifting of the hind leg of a horse, resulting from abnormal contraction of the flexor muscles of the hock Also calledspringhalt

Other Words From

• stringhalted stringhalty adjective
• stringhalted·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stringhalt¹

First recorded in 1515–25; string + halt ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of stringhalt¹

C16: probably string + halt ²

Example Sentences

Stringhalt, string′hawlt, n. a peculiar catching up of a horse's limbs, usually of one or both hind-limbs, a variety of chorea or St Vitus's dance.

From Project Gutenberg

But if he does the same thing with his hind-legs they call it springhalt or stringhalt, or something of that kind, and set him down as a beastly old plug.

From Project Gutenberg

One summer he wandered through South Dakota selling farmers a home-remedy book with cures for lump jaw and scabies in cattle, stringhalt in horses.

From Time Magazine Archive

This last circumstance, however, proves nothing; for the same thing may be said of tetanus in the human being, and of stringhalt in the horse; both of them being well-marked nervous affections.

From Project Gutenberg

Never mind about my stripes, old Stringhalt.

From Project Gutenberg