parol

American  

[puh-rohl, par-uhl] / pəˈroʊl, ˈpær əl /

noun

1. something stated or declared.

2. by parol, by word of mouth; orally.

---

adjective

1. given by word of mouth; oral; not contained in documents.

   parol evidence.

parol British  

/ ˈpærəl, pəˈrəʊl /

noun

1. (formerly) the pleadings in an action when presented by word of mouth

2. an oral statement; word of mouth (now only in the phrase by parol )

---

adjective

1. 1. (of a contract, lease, etc) made orally or in writing but not under seal

   2. expressed or given by word of mouth

      parol evidence

Etymology

Origin of parol

First recorded in 1470–80; earlier parole, Anglo-French, Old French, from unattested Vulgar Latin paraula, syncopated variant of unattested paravola, from Latin parabola parable; cf. parley

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parol

In the past, war survivors have used things like electricity and water bills—called parol evidence—to corroborate their property claims.

From Slate ● Oct. 4, 2022

But we shall here consider chiefly that common class of contracts called simple contracts, or contracts by parol.

From The Government Class Book Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. by Andrew W. Young

Oral or parol agreements may be made to do many things, but everywhere the law makes an exception of agreements relating to land purchases.

From Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman by Albert Sidney Bolles

"I have given him my parol, that he shall have safe conduct!"

From Mohun, or, the Last Days of Lee by John Esten Cooke

Commodore Bainbridge dismissed the private passengers found on board the Java, without regarding them as prisoners of war, while all the others were released on their parol.

From The Second War with England, Vol. 1 of 2 by Joel Tyler Headley