warhorse
warhorse Lexical Profile
warhorse Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A strong, powerful horse of the family Equidae bred and trained to carry a rider in cavalry service or historical mounted combat.
"The museum's medieval gallery features full plate armor designed to protect both the knight and his warhorse."
A veteran politician, performer, or campaigner who has endured many contests or long years of demanding service.
"The senior senator was an old political warhorse who knew every procedural rule in the legislature."
A musical composition, opera, or theatrical play that has been performed so frequently that it has become overly familiar or predictable, yet remains a reliable crowd-pleaser.
"To guarantee strong ticket sales for the opening gala, the symphony programmed a beloved Romantic warhorse."
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English as a compound of 'war' and 'horse', originally denoting a heavy cavalry mount such as a destrier or charger. In the 19th century, it developed figurative senses referring first to a seasoned veteran of politics or public life, and later to a familiar, heavily performed work in the theatrical or musical repertoire.