caparison Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun stable gear consisting of a decorated covering for a horse, especially (formerly) for a warhorse
    housing; trapping.
  2. verb put a caparison on
    dress up; barde; bard.
    • caparison the horses for the festive occasion

WordNet

Ca*par"i*son noun
Etymology
F. caparaon, fr. Sp. caparazon a cover for a saddle, coach, etc.; capa cloak, cover (fr. LL. capa, cf. LL. caparo also fr. capa) + the term. azon. See Cap.
Definitions
  1. An ornamental covering or housing for a horse; the harness or trappings of a horse, taken collectively, esp. when decorative.
    Their horses clothed with rich caparison. Drylen.
  2. Gay or rich clothing.
    My heart groans beneath the gay caparison. Smollett.
Ca*par"i*son transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F caparaçonner.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Caparisoned present participle & verbal noun Caparisoning
Definitions
  1. To cover with housings, as a horse; to harness or fit out with decorative trappings, as a horse.
    The steeds, caparisoned with purple, stand. Dryden.
  2. To aborn with rich dress; to dress.
    I am caparisoned like a man. Shak.

Webster 1913