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View synonyms for parlous

parlous

[ pahr-luhs ]

adjective

  1. parlous times;

    a cold and parlous winter.

  2. Obsolete. clever; shrewd.


adverb

  1. Rare. to a large extent; greatly.

parlous

/ ˈpɑːləs /

adjective

  1. dangerous or difficult
  2. cunning
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adverb

  1. extremely
“Collins 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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Derived Forms

  • ˈparlousness, noun
  • ˈparlously, adverb
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Other Words From

  • parlous·ly adverb
  • parlous·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of parlous1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, variant of perlous, shortening of perilous
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Word History and Origins

Origin of parlous1

C14 perlous, variant of perilous
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Example Sentences

Some economists argue that the parlous state of the middle class is being disguised by poor accounting.

From Time

One day, while walking the dog, Joel weighed in on the parlous state of the federal minimum wage.

From Time

They also counted on exploiting Honduras's parlous state of affairs among frightened voters.

Cities in parlous financial condition often need creditors to keep going.

It could happen here—and in 2010, a parlous American economy did give the GOP a robust midterm triumph.

Not since Harry Truman has a president taken office at a more parlous moment.

Twelve months earlier, under guidance of Land League, Ireland was in a parlous state.

He resented what he imagined as being the knowledge these boon companions boasted of his parlous state.

If the forgiveness of our debtors is a condition precedent to our own forgiveness, most of us are in a parlous state.

These were no doubt fearful of boring the Christians whose precious society the Jew enjoyed on a parlous tenure.

What a mercy poor Whitefoot was sure footed, and did not stumble, for the way was parlous difficult.

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parlour gameparl. proc.