Noun: parry per-ee [N. Amer], pa-ree [Brit]
- (fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword
"His quick parry saved him from his opponent's attack"
- A return punch (especially by a boxer)
"His swift parry caught his opponent off guard";
- counterpunch, counter
- Impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
"parry an attack";
- block, deflect
- Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
"They tend to parry their responsibilities";
- hedge, fudge, evade, put off, circumvent, elude, skirt, dodge, duck [informal], sidestep, finesse, circumnavigate
Derived forms: parries, parrying, parried
Type of: avoid, biff [informal], block, blocking, clout, dong [Austral, NZ, informal], fence, lick, poke, punch, slug
Encyclopedia: Parry, Mary