parry

¹ American  

[par-ee] / ˈpær i /

verb (used with object)

parried, parrying

1. to ward off (a thrust, stroke, weapon, etc.), as in fencing; avert.

2. to turn aside; evade or dodge.

   to parry an embarrassing question.

   Synonyms:

   preclude, obviate, prevent, elude, avert

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verb (used without object)

parried, parrying

1. to parry a thrust, blow, etc.

noun

plural

parries

1. an act or instance of parrying, as in fencing.

2. a defensive movement in fencing.

Parry ² American  

[par-ee] / ˈpær i /

noun

1. Milman, 1902–35, U.S. classical scholar and philologist.

2. William Edward, 1790–1855, English Arctic explorer.

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parry ¹ British  

/ ˈpærɪ /

verb

1. to ward off (an attack) by blocking or deflecting, as in fencing

2. (tr) to evade (questions), esp adroitly

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noun

1. an act of parrying, esp (in fencing) using a stroke or circular motion of the blade

2. a skilful evasion, as of a question

Parry ² British  

/ ˈpærɪ /

noun

1. Sir ( Charles ) Hubert ( Hastings ). 1848–1918, English composer, noted esp for his choral works

2. Sir William Edward. 1790–1855, English arctic explorer, who searched for the Northwest Passage (1819–25) and attempted to reach the North Pole (1827)

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Other Word Forms

• parriable adjective
• parrier noun
• unparried adjective
• unparrying adjective

Etymology

Origin of parry

1665–75; < French parez, imperative of parer to ward off, set off < Latin parāre to set. See parade

Example Sentences

When I asked Mr. Cornyn about it, he parried the question.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Japanese prime minister’s resilience in the face of Chinese pressure could also be instructive to so-called middle powers that are searching for a way to parry pressure from both China and the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow could then only parry another dangerous delivery from the England winger into his own goal before half-time.

From Barron's

The Italian's first major intervention came midway through the first half to parry Dorgu's effort.

From Barron's

“I’m not sure the financial industry can continue to parry this away without giving something up,” he said.

From MarketWatch