parry

Meanings

Verb

• To avoid, deflect, or ward off (an attack, a blow, an argument, etc.).

Noun

• A defensive or deflective action; an act of parrying.
• A simple defensive action designed to deflect an attack, performed with the forte of the blade.
• A defensive move intended to change the direction of an incoming strike to make it miss its intended target, rather than block and absorb it; and typically performed with an open hand in a downward or sideways slapping motion.

Origin

• From earlier parree, from Middle English *parree, *paree, from Old French paree ("preparation, ceremony, parade"), from Medieval Latin parāta ("preparation, parade"), from parāre. More at pare. The English verb is taken from the noun.
• Alternative etymology derives the verb parry from French parez, the imperative form of parer, ultimately from the Medieval Latin parāre. See above.