Par·ry v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parried p. pr. & vb. n. Parrying.]
1. To ward off; to stop, or to turn aside; as, to parry a thrust, a blow, or anything that means or threatens harm.
Vice parries wide
The undreaded volley with a sword of straw. --Cowper.
2. To avoid; to shift or put off; to evade.
The French government has parried the payment of our claims. --E. Everett.
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parry
n : a return punch (especially by a boxer) [syn: counterpunch,
counter]
v 1: impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an
attack" [syn: block, deflect]
2: avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
(duties, questions, or issues); "He dodged the issue";
"she skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their
responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully"
[syn: hedge, fudge, evade, put off, circumvent,
elude, skirt, dodge, duck, sidestep]
[also: parried]