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parry definition

parry (par′ē)

transitive verb parried -·ried, parrying -·ry·ing

  1. to ward off or deflect (a blow, the thrust of a sword, etc.)
  2. to counter or ward off (criticism, a prying question, etc.) by a clever or evasive response

Etymology: prob. < Fr parez, imper. of parer < It parare, to ward off < L parare, to prepare

intransitive verb

to make a parry or evasion

noun pl. parries -·ries

  1. a warding off or a turning aside of a blow, thrust, etc., as in fencing
  2. an evasion; evasive reply
Parry definition

Parry (par′ē)

Parry, Sir William Edward 1790-1855; Eng. naval officer & arctic explorer

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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