a corruption of style

Worse still, mares tend to be testy and capricious even (or, indeed, sometimes especially) when in heat, and their unfortunate tendency to kick the stallions who try to mount them often inflicts permanent damage or impotence. The equicidal tendency of such mares would dampen the enthusiasm of the most passionate stud, making such an unfortunate stallion what breeders call a “dud stud.”

City responded immediately with a lightning-quick counter-attack as the template for the game was set...

a cobwork dock or breakwater