verb
parry
PAR-ee
verb
1
To block or deflect a blow, attack, or difficult question.
"The fencer parried the attack and countered instantly."
"She parried every question about her private life with a joke."
noun
1
A move that blocks or deflects an attack.
"His quick parry saved him from a serious hit."
How to Use Parry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo fend off an attack — with a weapon in fencing, or with a clever answer in an argument.
Common pairings
parry a question
parry a blow
parry and thrust
Word Forms
parried past tense, parries plural, parries singular
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Etymology
From French parer, "to fend off," from Latin parare, "to prepare, ward off."