parol

[ puh-rohl, par-uh l ]

/ pəˈroʊl, ˈpær əl /

Law.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR parol ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something stated or declared.

by parol, by word of mouth; orally.

adjective

given by word of mouth; oral; not contained in documents: parol evidence.

RELATED WORDS

orally, speech

Nearby words

Origin of parol

1470–80; earlier parole < Anglo-French, Old French < Vulgar Latin *paraula, syncopated variant of *paravola; Latin parabola parable; cf. parley

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for parol

The rule was laid down, "by parol the party is not obliged."
The Common Law|Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
If, however, a legatee be described by initials of his name only, parol evidence may be given to prove his identity.
The Curiosities and Law of Wills|John Proffatt
In Maryland, the strict rules of construction prevail, and no parol evidence is admitted except as in England.
The Curiosities and Law of Wills|John Proffatt
The submission may be effected sometimes by parol, sometimes by written instrument, sometimes by deed or deed poll.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4|Various

Simple, or parol contracts, are those not embraced in the three previous classifications which constitute the formal contracts.
Commercial Law|Samuel Williston, Richard D. Currier, and Richard W. Hill

British Dictionary definitions for parol

parol

/ (ˈpærəl, pəˈrəʊl) law /

noun

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

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

adjective

(of a contract, lease, etc) made orally or in writing but not under seal
expressed or given by word of mouthparol evidence

Word Origin for parol

C15: from Old French parole speech; see parole

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

Word Origin and History for parol

parol

"oral statement," late 15c., from Anglo-French (14c.), from Old French parole "word, speech, argument" (see parole (n.)).