Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

Source : WordNet®

parry
     n : a return punch (especially by a boxer) [syn: {counterpunch},
          {counter}]
     [also: {parried}]

parry
     v 1: impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an
          attack" [syn: {block}, {deflect}]
     2: avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
        (duties, questions, or issues); "He dodged the issue";
        "she skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their
        responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully"
        [syn: {hedge}, {fudge}, {evade}, {put off}, {circumvent},
        {elude}, {skirt}, {dodge}, {duck}, {sidestep}]
     [also: {parried}]

parried
     See {parry}