WordWeb Online

1. Impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
   "parry an attack";
   - block, deflect
    
2. Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
   "They tend to parry their responsibilities";
   - hedge, fudge, evade, put off, circumvent, elude, skirt, dodge, duck, sidestep, finesse

1. (fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword
    
2. A return punch (especially by a boxer)
   - counterpunch, counter

Derived forms: parries, parrying, parried

Type of: avoid, biff, block, blocking, clout, dong [Austral, NZ], fence, lick, poke, punch, slug

Encyclopedia: Parry Parry, Sir William Edward Parry, Saskatchewan