palaver
a conference or discussion.
a parley or conference between European traders, explorers, colonial officials, etc., and people indigenous to a region, especially in West Africa.
to talk profusely and idly.
to parley or confer.
to cajole or persuade.
Origin of palaver
1Other words from palaver
- pa·lav·er·er, pa·lav·er·ist, noun
- pa·lav·er·ment, noun
- pa·lav·er·ous, adjective
Words Nearby palaver
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use palaver in a sentence
That the palaver was enough to promptly warrant Congressional hearings is testament to just how removed the investing public is from today’s market mechanics.
How Ken Griffin’s Citadel transformed financial markets | Roya Wolverson | February 18, 2021 | QuartzHe seemed at first much pleased of the situation, but after examining the captives closely he called a palaver.
The Story Behind The World’s Greatest Headline | Brandy Zadrozny | January 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWith North Korea, the palaver is mostly about hoping and waiting.
What the U.S. Government Knows About North Korea's New Ruler | Leslie H. Gelb | December 20, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTBarton summoned us to a meeting, one night, and we held a long palaver over the situation.
Tramping on Life | Harry Kemp"Ah, yes, I understand your smooth palaver," the bridegroom growled between his teeth.
Boyhood in Norway | Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen
Think I want to hang around and palaver with a set of pirates that'd stick a gun in my face and tell me where I git off?
Isle o' Dreams | Frederick F. MooreKo-boru was all for a long and impressive palaver, but recognized a certain absence of encouragement in the Commissioner's tone.
The Keepers of the King's Peace | Edgar Wallace"That is a Government palaver," smiled Sanders, and that was all the satisfaction Ferguson received.
The Keepers of the King's Peace | Edgar Wallace
British Dictionary definitions for palaver
/ (pəˈlɑːvə) /
tedious or time-consuming business, esp when of a formal nature: all the palaver of filling in forms
loud and confused talk and activity; hubbub
(often used humorously) a conference
rare talk intended to flatter or persuade
Western African
an argument
trouble arising from an argument
(intr) (often used humorously) to have a conference
(intr) to talk loudly and confusedly
(tr) to flatter or cajole
Origin of palaver
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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