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Parry

//ˈpæɹ.i// name, noun, verb

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname from Welsh.
  2. 2
    A unisex given name.
  3. 3
    A hamlet in the Rural Municipality of Caledonia, No. 99, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Noun
  1. 1
    A defensive or deflective action; an act of parrying.
  2. 2
    a return punch (especially by a boxer) wordnet
  3. 3
    A simple defensive action designed to deflect an attack, performed with the forte of the blade.
  4. 4
    (fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword wordnet
  5. 5
    A defensive move intended to change the direction of an incoming strike to make it miss its intended target, rather than block and absorb it; and typically performed with an open hand in a downward or sideways slapping motion.
Verb
  1. 1
    To avoid, deflect, or ward off (an attack, a blow, an argument, etc.).

    "One had to be on one's guard when thus confronted and, in the course of my numerous meetings with him, I had on occasion to exercise all my wits and be prepared at a moment's notice to parry a very awkward question, to which I would much rather have given a considered reply."

  2. 2
    avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues) wordnet
  3. 3
    impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball) wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From earlier parree, from Middle English *parree, *paree, from Old French paree (“preparation, ceremony, parade”), from Medieval Latin parāta (“preparation, parade”), from parāre (“to ward off, guard, defend, prepare, get ready”). More at pare. The English verb is taken from the noun. Doublet of parade. Alternative etymology derives the verb parry from French parez, the imperative form of parer (“to fend off”), ultimately from the Medieval Latin parāre. See above.

Etymology 2

From earlier parree, from Middle English *parree, *paree, from Old French paree (“preparation, ceremony, parade”), from Medieval Latin parāta (“preparation, parade”), from parāre (“to ward off, guard, defend, prepare, get ready”). More at pare. The English verb is taken from the noun. Doublet of parade. Alternative etymology derives the verb parry from French parez, the imperative form of parer (“to fend off”), ultimately from the Medieval Latin parāre. See above.

Etymology 3

Anglicised from Welsh ap Harri, "son of Henry".

See also for "parry"

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