parlay

Meanings

Verb

• To carry forward the stake and winnings from a bet on to a subsequent wager or series of wagers.
• To increase (an asset, money, etc.) by gambling or investing in a daring manner.
• To convert (a situation, thing, etc.) into something better.
• Alternate spelling of parley

Noun

• A bet or series of bets where the stake and winnings are cumulatively carried forward; an accumulator.

Origin

• The verb is derived from paroli, possibly modified under the influence of French parler. Paroli is derived from French paroli, from Italian paroli, plural of parolo (first-person singular present indicative of parare, from Latin parāre, present active infinitive of parō, from Proto-Indo-European *per-) + Italian -lo.
• The noun is derived from the verb.