horseflesh

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the flesh of a horse, especially when used as food

   The ration contained horseflesh during the prolonged shortage.

2. 2
   noun

   horses considered collectively, especially with regard to riding, racing, transport, or quality

   The road was crowded with every sort of carriage and horseflesh.

A compound of horse + flesh. The literal food sense is ancient; by the eighteenth century horseflesh could also mean horses collectively, especially when judging or discussing animals used for riding, racing, or transport.

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