parry

[ par-ee ]
See synonyms for parry on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),par·ried, par·ry·ing.
  1. to ward off (a thrust, stroke, weapon, etc.), as in fencing; avert.

  2. to turn aside; evade or dodge: to parry an embarrassing question.

verb (used without object),par·ried, par·ry·ing.
  1. to parry a thrust, blow, etc.

noun,plural par·ries.
  1. an act or instance of parrying, as in fencing.

  2. a defensive movement in fencing.

Origin of parry

1
1665–75; <French parez, imperative of parer to ward off, set off <Latin parāre to set. See parade

Other words for parry

Other words from parry

  • par·ri·a·ble, adjective
  • par·ri·er, noun
  • un·par·ried, adjective
  • un·par·ry·ing, adjective

Other definitions for Parry (2 of 2)

Parry
[ par-ee ]

noun
  1. Milman, 1902–35, U.S. classical scholar and philologist.

  2. William Edward, 1790–1855, English Arctic explorer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for parry (1 of 2)

parry

/ (ˈpærɪ) /


verb-ries, -rying or -ried
  1. to ward off (an attack) by blocking or deflecting, as in fencing

  2. (tr) to evade (questions), esp adroitly

nounplural -ries
  1. an act of parrying, esp (in fencing) using a stroke or circular motion of the blade

  2. a skilful evasion, as of a question

Origin of parry

1
C17: from French parer to ward off, from Latin parāre to prepare

British Dictionary definitions for Parry (2 of 2)

Parry

/ (ˈpærɪ) /


noun
  1. Sir (Charles) Hubert (Hastings). 1848–1918, English composer, noted esp for his choral works

  2. Sir William Edward. 1790–1855, English arctic explorer, who searched for the Northwest Passage (1819–25) and attempted to reach the North Pole (1827)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012