parley

¹

[ pahr-lee ]

noun

, plural par·leys.

1. a discussion or conference.

   Synonyms: conversation, talk

2. an informal conference between enemies under a truce, especially to discuss terms, conditions of surrender, etc.

verb (used without object)

, par·leyed, par·ley·ing.

1. to hold an informal conference with an enemy under a truce, as between active hostilities.
2. to speak, talk, or confer.

   Synonyms: converse, discuss

Parley

²

[ pahr-lee ]

noun

1. Peter, pen name of Samuel Griswald Goodrich.

parley

/ ˈpɑːlɪ /

noun

1. a discussion, esp between enemies under a truce to decide terms of surrender, etc

verb

1. intr to discuss, esp with an enemy under a truce
2. tr to speak (a foreign language)

Derived Forms

• ˈparleyer, noun

Other Words From

• parley·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of parley¹

1400–50; late Middle English parlai < Middle French parlee, noun use of feminine of parle, past participle of parler to parle

Word History and Origins

Origin of parley¹

C16: from French, from parler to talk, from Medieval Latin parabolāre, from Late Latin parabola speech, parable

Example Sentences

Optional garnishes: parley, sliced lemon and/or save a few whole shrimp to place on top when serving.

From Salon

Back at the studio the anchors vacuously nod at Nandor's escalating trumpery, as they do when The Guide wrests Joanna's microphone away to parley on behalf of all vampires.

From Salon

My dad had a never-ending parley with pirates, but I would break the cycle “Hacker!” my brother muttered behind me.

From The Verge

Last February, after multiple military parleys, Indian and Chinese troops completed a pullout from a lake area in Ladakh.

From Reuters

After his latest parley with Putin last week, Macron appealed for a “complete truce” in what has become an all-out Russian assault on Ukrainian cities and towns.

From Los Angeles Times