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

Other Word Forms

• parlously adverb
• parlousness 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

But the president will clearly feel he has an opportunity to mess productively with the man in Gracie Mansion on issues like immigration, crime and the city’s parlous finances.

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At a parlous 51-3 England were vulnerable, but Bethell and Brook initially appeared assured only for things to unravel via a duff pull shot and slash to backward point on 18 and 34 respectively.

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Conviction is also driving investors, particularly wealthy Europeans who see huge stakes in the continent’s parlous security situation.

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In turn, he wants help to consolidate his power in Syria, secure its borders and rescue a parlous economy with access to Russian energy and investment.

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It's just that the world was in a parlous state.

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