parry

Universal Words verb (parries, parrying, parried, parried) 1 to defend yourself against sb who is attacking you by pushing their hand, arm, weapon, etc. to one side SYNDEFLECT: [VN] He parried a blow to his head. * The shot was parried by the goalie. [also V] 2 to avoid having to answer a difficult question, criticism, etc., especially by replying in the same way: [VN] She parried all questions about their relationship. [also Vspeech] parry noun (plural parries)