parlous

[ pahr-luhs ]

adjective

1. perilous; dangerous:

   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

adverb

1. extremely

Derived Forms

• ˈparlously, adverb
• ˈparlousness, noun

Other Words From

• parlous·ly adverb
• parlous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of parlous¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, variant of perlous, shortening of perilous

Word History and Origins

Origin of parlous¹

C14 perlous, variant of perilous

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.

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg