Parleys

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Parley \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.


     [1913 Webster]
  
           We yield on parley, but are stormed in vain. --Dryden.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {To beat a parley} (Mil.), to beat a drum, or sound a
        trumpet, as a signal for holding a conference with the
        enemy.
        [1913 Webster]