avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
(fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword
a return punch (especially by a boxer)
To ward off; to stop, or to turn aside; as, to parry a thrust, a blow, or anything that means or threatens harm.
To avoid; to shift or put off; to evade.
To ward off, evade, or turn aside something, as a blow, argument, etc.
A warding off of a thrust or blow, as in sword and bayonet exercises or in boxing; hence, figuratively, a defensive movement in debate or other intellectual encounter.
