Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
Definition of parlous - 4 dictionary results

par⋅lous

  [pahr-luhs]
Use parlous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. perilous; dangerous.
2. Obsolete. clever; shrewd.
–adverb
3. to a large extent; greatly.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME, var. of perlous, syncopated var. of perilous

Related forms:
par⋅lous⋅ly, adverb
par⋅lous⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To parlous
par·lous   (pär'ləs)   
adj.  
  1. Perilous; dangerous: "starting from scratch in parlous economic times" (Madalynne Reuter).
  2. Obsolete Dangerously cunning.

[Middle English, variant of perilous, perilous, from peril, peril; see peril.]
par'lous·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Parlous

Par"lous\, a. [For perlous, a contr. fr. perilous.]

1. Attended with peril; dangerous; as, a parlous cough. [Archaic] "A parlous snuffing." --Beau. & Fl.

2. Venturesome; bold; mischievous; keen. [Obs.] "A parlous boy." --Shak. "A parlous wit." --Dryden. -- Par"lous*ly, adv. [Obs.] -- Par"lous*ness, n. [Obs.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

parlous 
c.1380, late M.E. contraction of perilous (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see parlous on Thesaurus | Reference