Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words
Definition of parlous - 3 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
Word Origin & History

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
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way