parry

¹

[ par-ee ]

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.

   Synonyms: preclude, obviate, prevent, elude, avert

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.

Parry

²

[ par-ee ]

noun

1. Milman, 1902–35, U.S. classical scholar and philologist.
2. William Edward, 1790–1855, English Arctic explorer.

Parry

¹

/ ˈpærɪ /

noun

1. ParrySir (Charles) Hubert18481918MEnglishMUSIC: composer Sir ( Charles ) Hubert ( Hastings ). 1848–1918, English composer, noted esp for his choral works
2. ParrySir William Edward17901855MEnglishTRAVEL AND EXPLORATION: explorer Sir William Edward. 1790–1855, English arctic explorer, who searched for the Northwest Passage (1819–25) and attempted to reach the North Pole (1827)

parry

²

/ ˈpærɪ /

verb

1. to ward off (an attack) by blocking or deflecting, as in fencing
2. tr to evade (questions), esp adroitly

noun

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

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parry¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parry¹

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

Example Sentences

Unlike commercial antibiotics, phages evolve alongside their bacterial hosts, dodging and parrying the bacterial response so that for every pathogen, there’s likely a bacteriophage, somewhere, that eats it.

From Salon

Hochman, who is running as an independent, has largely eschewed partisan politics in the race other than to parry Gascón’s barbs and focused most of his ad spending on public safety.

From Los Angeles Times

Every answer to the tougher question about whether this sort of change requires more stick than carrot is for now parried by Kendall.

From BBC

And can she parry Trump’s relentless charges that she is a radical leftist?

From Los Angeles Times

Kansas City keeper Tim Melia parried that away with both hands, but the ball dropped at the feet of Joveljic, who redirected it on goal.

From Los Angeles Times