First Known Use: 1672
Dictionary
parry
verb par·ry \ˈper-ē, ˈpa-rē\
: to defend yourself by turning or pushing aside (a punch, a weapon, etc.)
: to avoid giving a direct answer to (a question) by being skillful or clever
par·riedpar·ry·ing
Full Definition of PARRY
intransitive verb
1
: to ward off a weapon or blow
2
: to evade or turn aside something
transitive verb
1
: to ward off (as a blow)
2
: to evade especially by an adroit answer <parried the question>
— parry noun
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Origin of PARRY
probably from French parez, imperative of parer to parry, from Old Occitan parar, from Latin parare to prepare — more at pare
PARRY Defined for Kids
1parry
verb par·ry \ˈper-ē\
par·riedpar·ry·ing
Definition of PARRY for Kids
1
: to turn aside an opponent's weapon or blow
2
: to avoid by a skillful answer <She parried an embarrassing question.>
2parry
noun
plural par·ries
Definition of PARRY for Kids
: an act or instance of skillfully avoiding something
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