light horse
1. † a. collect. sing. Light horsemen; a body of light cavalry (obs.). b. = light horseman. (Cf. F. chevau-léger.)
| 1532 [see hussar 1]. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI, 124 b, With .vi. m. archers, and .xiij. hundred light horses. 1611 Cotgr., Estradiot, a light-horse, an Albanian horseman. 1625 Markham Souldiers Accid. 40 The third sort of auncient Horsemen, were called Light-horse. 1759 Ann. Reg. 7 England for the first time saw light horse and light foot. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U.S. IV. xx. 462 Three regiments of infantry with one of light-horse from Ireland. |
| attrib. 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 475 Cases..of close combat or light-horse skirmish. 1898 59th Rep. Deputy Keeper 5 Books and Papers relating to the Light Horse Volunteers 1779–1831. |
† 2. A courtesan.
Obs.| a 1627 Middleton Witch v. i. (1778) 96 An. Florida. Gas. She: I know no other, Sir, You were nev'r at charge yet but with one light-horse. |