Category:Parley

Par"ley, n.; pl. Parleys. Etym: [f. parler speech, talk, fr. parler To speak, ll. parabolare, fr. L. parabola a comparison, parable, in Ll., a word. See parable, and cf. Parliament, parlor.]

Defn: mutual discourse or conversation; discussion; hence, an oral Conference with an enemy, as with regard to a truce. We yield on parley, but are stormed in vain. Dryden. To beat a parley (mil.), to beat a drum, or sound a trumpet, as a Signal for holding a conference with the enemy.

Parley Par"ley, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Parleyed; p. pr. & vb. n. Parleying.]

Defn: to speak with another; to confer on some point of mutual Concern; to discuss orally; hence, specifically, to confer orally With an enemy; to treat with him by words, as on an exchange of Prisoners, an armistice, or terms of peace. They are at hand, to parley or to fight; therefore prepare. Shak.