parry

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to ward off or deflect a weapon, blow, or other attack

   The fencer parried the thrust and immediately counterattacked.

2. 2
   verb

   to evade or turn aside a difficult question or criticism

   The minister parried questions about the missing funds.

3. 3
   noun

   a defensive movement that blocks or deflects an attack

   Her quick parry knocked the blade away from her shoulder.

Probably from French parez, the imperative of parer, 'fend off or prepare,' ultimately from Latin parare, 'prepare.' An earlier English noun parree denoted a defensive preparation; the figurative sense developed from turning aside a physical attack.

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