parlay
Use Parlay in a sentence
leɪ, -li verb (used with object)
1.
to bet or gamble (an original amount and its winnings) on a subsequent race, contest, etc.
2.
Informal. to use (one's money, talent, or other assets) to achieve a desired objective, as spectacular wealth or success: He parlayed a modest inheritance into a fortune.
noun
3.
a bet of an original sum and the subsequent winnings.
Origin:
1820–30, Americanism; alteration of earlier paroli < French < Neapolitan Italian, plural of parolo, perhaps derivative of paro equal < Latin pār; see pair
1820–30, Americanism; alteration of earlier paroli < French < Neapolitan Italian, plural of parolo, perhaps derivative of paro equal < Latin pār; see pair
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To parlay
Collins
World English Dictionary
parlay (ˈpɑːlɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | Brit equivalent: double up to stake (winnings from one bet) on a subsequent wager |
| 2. | to exploit (one's talent) to achieve worldly success |
| —n | |
| 3. | a bet in which winnings from one wager are staked on another, or a series of such bets |
| [C19: variant of paroli, via French from Neapolitan Italian parolo, from paro a pair, from Latin pār equal, | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Parlay
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is yaff. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| to bark; yelp. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
parlay
1701, term in the card game faro, from Fr. parole, from It. parole (Neapolitan paroli) "words, promises," pl. of parolo (see parole). Meaning "exploit to advantage" is from 1942.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
They keep tabs on what is happening on the street, and parlay this information into arrests or more comprehensive investigations.
Parlay the simulation results to design and prepare cost estimates for full-sized plants.
Other supermodels who became internationally famous have been able to parlay their celebrity into brands.
She particularly enjoys greeting the public and hopes to parlay the skills learned into future full time federal employment.
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