noun, plural par·leys.
- a discussion or conference.
- an informal conference between enemies under a truce, especially to discuss terms, conditions of surrender, etc.
verb (used without object), par·leyed, par·ley·ing.
- to hold an informal conference with an enemy under a truce, as between active hostilities.
- to speak, talk, or confer.
noun
- Peter, pen name of Samuel Griswald Goodrich.
noun
- a discussion, esp between enemies under a truce to decide terms of surrender, etc
verb
- (intr) to discuss, esp with an enemy under a truce
- (tr) to speak (a foreign language)
n.“conference, speech,” especially with an enemy, mid-15c., from Middle French parlée, from fem. past participle of Old French parler “to speak” (11c.), from Vulgar Latin *paraulare, from Late Latin parabolare “to speak (in parables),” from parabola “speech, discourse,” from Latin parabola “comparison” (see parable). v.late 14c., “to speak, talk, confer,” probably a separate borrowing of Old French parler “to speak” (see parley (n.)). Related: Parleyed; parleying. Meaning “to discuss terms” is 1560s, from the noun.