parol

American  

[puh-rohl, par-uhl] / pəˈroʊl, ˈpær əl /

noun

1. something stated or declared.

2. by parol, by word of mouth; orally.

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adjective

1. given by word of mouth; oral; not contained in documents.

   parol evidence.

parol British  

/ ˈpærəl, pəˈrəʊl /

noun

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

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

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adjective

1. 1. (of a contract, lease, etc) made orally or in writing but not under seal

   2. expressed or given by word of mouth

      parol evidence

Etymology

Origin of parol

First recorded in 1470–80; earlier parole, Anglo-French, Old French, from unattested Vulgar Latin paraula, syncopated variant of unattested paravola, from Latin parabola parable; cf. parley

Example Sentences

In the past, war survivors have used things like electricity and water bills—called parol evidence—to corroborate their property claims.

From Slate • Oct. 4, 2022

The rule was laid down, "by parol the party is not obliged."

From The Common Law by Holmes, Oliver Wendell

In cases of doubtful import, recourse to parol evidence is permissible, to explain, but not to contradict, the written evidence of the guarantee.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various

In short, there are no official records; there is no testimony in the case but parol.

From The Great Speeches and Orations of Daniel Webster With an Essay on Daniel Webster as a Master of English Style by Webster, Daniel

Commodore Bainbridge dismissed the private passengers found on board the Java, without regarding them as prisoners of war, while all the others were released on their parol.

From The Second War with England, Vol. 1 of 2 by Headley, Joel Tyler