noun

Travis

TRA-vihs

noun

A wooden frame used to hold a horse still while a farrier fits its shoes.

"The blacksmith led the nervous colt into the travis before starting on its shoes."

A partition or screen separating stalls in a stable.

"Each horse had its own space behind a low wooden travis."

adj

Lying or set crosswise; transverse.

"The old barn had a travis beam supporting the loft floor."

How to Use Travis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old term, mostly seen in farriery and historic building descriptions, for something built or arranged crosswise — most commonly the frame that steadies a horse for shoeing.

When to use it

Rare outside specialist or historical writing; as a first name it is extremely common, but that use is not covered here.

Word Forms

more travis comparative, traves plural, travises plural, most travis superlative

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The blacksmith led the nervous colt into the _____ before starting on its shoes.

Etymology

From an Old French word meaning "to cross over," the same root as "traverse" — originally used for a gatekeeper or toll collector at a bridge crossing.

Rhymes for Travis

Mavis Beavis

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