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Definition of palaver - 2 dictionary results

pa⋅lav⋅er

  [puh-lav-er, ‑lah-ver] noun, verb, -ered, -er⋅ing.
Use palaver in a Sentence
–noun
1. a conference or discussion.
2. a long parley, esp. one between primitive natives and European traders, explorers, colonial officials, etc.
3. profuse and idle talk; chatter.
4. persuasive talk; flattery; cajolery.
–verb (used without object)
5. to talk profusely and idly.
6. to parley or confer.
–verb (used with object)
7. to cajole or persuade.
Origin:
1720–30; < Pg palavra word, speech, talk < LL parabola parable

Related forms:
pa⋅lav⋅er⋅er, pa⋅lav⋅er⋅ist, noun
pa⋅lav⋅er⋅ment, noun
pa⋅lav⋅er⋅ous, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To palaver
pa·lav·er   (pə-lāv'ər, -lä'vər)   
n.  

    1. Idle chatter.

    2. Talk intended to charm or beguile.

  2. Obsolete A parley between European explorers and representatives of local populations, especially in Africa.

v.   pa·lav·ered, pa·lav·er·ing, pa·lav·ers

v.   tr.
To flatter or cajole.
v.   intr.
To chatter idly.

[Portuguese palavra, speech, alteration of Late Latin parabola, speech, parable; see parable.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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