Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PAL'FREY, n. [Fr. palefroi; It. palafreno; Sp. palafren; Port. palafrem; W. palvre. – Ainsworth gives for the original word, in Low Latin, paraveredi, (plur. of veredus,) horses of a large size, used for carrying the baggage of an army. Spelman says the parafredus was a post-horse. The last syllable is from L. veredus.]

1. A horse used by noblemen and others for state, distinguished from a war horse. – Encyc.
2. A small horse fit for ladies. – Johnson. Spectator.