parry Definition

parry
verb parries, parried, parrying

1. To fend off (a blow).
2. To sidestep (a question) adeptly.

Thesaurus: deflect, circumvent, evade, ward off, dodge, avert, avoid, fend off, stave off, sidestep.

noun

parries
1. An act of parrying, especially in fencing.

Etymology: 17c: from French parer to ward off.