PARRY
What does "PARRY" mean?
To ward off a blow or attack, or to deflect an awkward question by a clever response.
Meanings
- To deflect or turn aside a weapon or blow, especially in fencing or boxing. She parried his thrust and stepped neatly aside.
- To evade or skilfully deflect an awkward question or remark. The minister parried every question about the leak. figurative
- An act of warding off or deflecting a blow or question. His clever parry got a laugh and changed the subject.
Word origin
From French 'parez', the imperative of 'parer' (to ward off, protect), from Italian 'parare', ultimately from Latin 'parare' (to prepare).
Remember it
PARRY = 'pare' the blow away; two R's like two crossed blades blocking the strike.
A little poem
He aimed the question like a polished blade-
one quick light parry, and the cut was stayed.
couplet
Wordplay
- I asked the fencer how he avoided every personal question. He just kept giving me the same answer - he's good at the parry line.
What it teaches
You don't have to absorb every blow aimed at you; deflection is a skill, not a retreat.
Quick facts
What does PARRY mean?
To ward off a blow or attack, or to deflect an awkward question by a clever response.
Is PARRY a valid word?
Yes — PARRY is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is PARRY?
PARRY has 5 letters and 2 syllables.
Where does PARRY come from?
From French 'parez', the imperative of 'parer' (to ward off, protect), from Italian 'parare', ultimately from Latin 'parare' (to prepare).
What can PARRY teach us?
You don't have to absorb every blow aimed at you; deflection is a skill, not a retreat.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.