Hypertext Webster Gateway: "parley"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Parley \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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
parley
n : a negotiation between enemies
v : discuss, as between enemies
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