PAR'RY, verb transitive

1. In fencing, to ward off; to stop or to put or turn by; as, to parry a thrust.

2. To ward off; to turn aside; to prevent a blow from taking effect.

3. To avoid; to shift off.

The French government has parried the payment of our claims.

PAR'RY, verb intransitive To ward off; to put by thrusts or strokes; to fence.