a French term, ordinarily signifying a Knight. The word is formed of the French, cheval "horse," and the barbarous Latin cavellus.

It is used, in heraldry, to signify any cavalier or horseman armed at all points; by the Romans called cataphractus eques: now out of use, and only to be seen in coat-armour.

CHEVAUX de Frise. See Cheval de Frise.