Parley
//ˈpɑː(ɹ)li// name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A conference, especially one between enemies. countable, uncountable
"We yield on parley, but are stormed in vain."
- 2 a negotiation between enemies wordnet
Verb
- 1 To have a discussion, especially one between enemies. intransitive
"[...] at day break we found the villaine, who, loath to parlee in fire and ſhot, fled amaine and left us [...]"
- 2 discuss, as between enemies wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 An uncommon surname.
Example
More examples"The two opposing armies intended to parley in order to exchange hostages."
Etymology
From Middle English parlai (“speech, parley”), from Old French parler (“to talk; to speak”), from Late Latin parabolō, from Latin parabola (“comparison”), from Ancient Greek παραβολή (parabolḗ), from παρά (pará, “beside”) with βολή (bolḗ, “throwing”). Doublet of palaver.
More for "parley"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.