Main Entry: par·ry

Pronunciation: \ˈper-ē, ˈpa-rē\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): par·ried; par·ry·ing

Etymology: probably from French parez, imperative of parer to parry, from Old Occitan parar, from Latin parare to prepare — more at pare

Date: 1672

intransitive verb 1 : to ward off a weapon or blow
2 : to evade or turn aside somethingtransitive verb 1 : to ward off (as a blow)
2 : to evade especially by an adroit answer <parried the question>

— parry noun