"Parry" Meaning
To parry means to avoid or deflect an attack, often in a physical sense, such as in fencing or boxing. It can also mean to respond to a statement or argument in a way that avoids directly engaging with it, often by making a witty or evasive remark.
"Parry" Examples
Parry
A parry is a defensive movement in fencing, typically made with the blade or guard to deflect an opponent's attack. Here are five usage examples:
1. Fencing
He raised his sword to parry the incoming attack, expertly deflecting his opponent's blade.
2. Verbal sparring
Sarah parried her opponent's witty remark with a clever comeback, leaving him momentarily stunned.
3. Conversation
When asked a difficult question, she parried with a deft answer, sidestepping the issue without directly addressing it.
4. Comedy
The stand-up comedian parried the heckler's insult with a quick quip, turning the audience's attention back to the stage.
5. Philosophy
The philosopher parried the critique of her theory by arguing that the underlying assumptions were flawed and thus the criticism was misplaced.
Note: While the剣 parry originated in fencing, it has been adopted in various contexts to describe a defensive movement or response in other fields, such as verbal sparring, conversation, comedy, and even philosophy.