Parry \Par"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parried}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Parrying}.] [F. par['e], p. p. of parer. See {Pare}, v. t.] 1. To ward off; to stop, or to turn aside; as, to parry a thrust, a blow, or anything that means or threatens harm. --Locke. Vice parries wide The undreaded volley with a sword of straw. --Cowper. 2. To avoid; to shift or put off; to evade. The French government has parried the payment of our claims. --E. Everett.