palaver
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1pa·lav·er
noun \pə-ˈla-vər, -ˈlä-\Definition of PALAVER
1
a : a long parley usually between persons of different cultures or levels of sophistication b : conference, discussion
2
a : idle talk b : misleading or beguiling speech
See Examples of PALAVER
- Enough of this palaver. We have a lot to discuss.
- <seemingly endless palaver between the negotiating parties>
Origin of PALAVER
Portuguese palavra word, speech, from Late Latin parabola parable, speech
First Known Use: 1735
Related to PALAVER
- Synonyms
- argument, argumentation, argy-bargy [chiefly British], back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, debate, deliberation, dialogue (also dialog), give-and-take, discussion, parley, talk
Rhymes with PALAVER
2palaver
verbpa·lav·eredpa·lav·er·ing \pə-ˈla-və-riŋ, -ˈlä-; -ˈlav-riŋ, -ˈläv-\
Definition of PALAVER
intransitive verb
1
: to talk profusely or idly
2
: parley
transitive verb
: to use palaver to : cajole
Examples of PALAVER
- <mothers palavering and drinking coffee while watching their children play>
- <I let the salesclerk at the electronics store palaver me into a service contract that I didn't need.>
First Known Use of PALAVER
1773
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Previous Word in the Dictionary: Palaung–wa
All Words Near: palaver
Previous Word in the Dictionary: Palaung–wa
All Words Near: palaver
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