palaver
a conference or discussion.
a parley or conference between European traders, explorers, colonial officials, etc., and people indigenous to a region, especially in West Africa.
to talk profusely and idly.
to parley or confer.
to cajole or persuade.
Origin of palaver
1Other words from palaver
- 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 Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for palaver
/ (pəˈlɑːvə) /
tedious or time-consuming business, esp when of a formal nature: all the palaver of filling in forms
loud and confused talk and activity; hubbub
(often used humorously) a conference
rare talk intended to flatter or persuade
Western African
an argument
trouble arising from an argument
(intr) (often used humorously) to have a conference
(intr) to talk loudly and confusedly
(tr) to flatter or cajole
Origin of palaver
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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