Par"ley , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Parleyed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Parleying.]
To speak with another; to confer on some point of
mutual concern; to discuss orally; hence, specifically, to confer orally with an enemy; to treat with him by words, as
on an exchange of prisoners, an armistice, or terms of peace.
They are at hand,
To parley or to fight; therefore prepare.
Shak.
Par"ley (?), n.;
pl. Parleys (#). [F.
parler speech, talk,
fr. parler to speak, LL.
parabolare, fr. L. parabola a comparison, parable, in LL., a word.
See Parable, and cf. Parliament,
Parlor.]
Mutual discourse or conversation; discussion; hence, an oral conference with an enemy, as with regard to a truce.
We
yield on parley, but are stormed in vain.
Dryden. To beat a parley (Mil.), to
beat a drum,
or sound a trumpet, as a
signal for holding a conference with the enemy.
Hear it pronounced