parlous

adjective

par·lous | \ ˈpär-ləs

Definition of parlous

1 obsolete : dangerously shrewd or cunning

2 : full of danger or risk

Other Words from parlous Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about parlous

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Did You Know?

Parlous is both a synonym and a derivative of "perilous"; it came to be as an alteration of "perilous" in Middle English. ("Perilous" is derived from the Anglo-French perilleus, which ultimately comes from the Latin word for "danger": "periculum.") Both words are documented in use from at least the 14th century, but by the 17th century "parlous" had slipped from common use and was considered more or less archaic. It experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 20th century (although some critics still regarded it as an archaic affectation), and today it appears in fairly common use, often modifying "state" or "times."

Examples of parlous in a Sentence

The company is in a parlous financial situation. He talked about the parlous state of the country.

Recent Examples on the Web

This willingness to allow the cathedral to decay has echoes in history; the cathedral’s last major restoration occurred in the 19th century, only after Victor Hugo described its parlous state in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. — Vivienne Walt / Paris, Time, "Inside the Fight Over How Notre Dame Should Rise From the Ashes," 25 July 2019 Any explanation has to begin with the parlous state of the official opposition to the Conservatives now in power. — Jonathan Freedland, The New York Review of Books, "Jonathan Freedland," 16 Aug. 2018 Though their governance remains parlous, at least these banks are no longer able to hide the extent of their problems. — The Economist, "The humbling of India’s tycoons," 19 Apr. 2018 The stakes are especially high this year given the parlous state of the agricultural economy. — Shruti Singh, Bloomberg.com, "Blindsided by China Tariffs, American Farmers Suddenly Face Huge Decision," 5 Apr. 2018 This willingness to allow the cathedral to decay has echoes in history; the cathedral’s last major restoration occurred in the 19th century, only after Victor Hugo described its parlous state in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. — Vivienne Walt / Paris, Time, "Inside the Fight Over How Notre Dame Should Rise From the Ashes," 25 July 2019 Any explanation has to begin with the parlous state of the official opposition to the Conservatives now in power. — Jonathan Freedland, The New York Review of Books, "Jonathan Freedland," 16 Aug. 2018 Though their governance remains parlous, at least these banks are no longer able to hide the extent of their problems. — The Economist, "The humbling of India’s tycoons," 19 Apr. 2018 The stakes are especially high this year given the parlous state of the agricultural economy. — Shruti Singh, Bloomberg.com, "Blindsided by China Tariffs, American Farmers Suddenly Face Huge Decision," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parlous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for parlous

parlous

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of parlous

formal : full of danger or risk

See the full definition for parlous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

parlous

Definition of parlous

Other Words from parlous

Synonyms & Antonyms for parlous

Did You Know?

Examples of parlous in a Sentence

First Known Use of parlous

History and Etymology for parlous

English Language Learners Definition of parlous

parlous

Definition of parlous

Other Words from parlous

Synonyms & Antonyms for parlous

Did You Know?

Examples of parlous in a Sentence

First Known Use of parlous

History and Etymology for parlous

English Language Learners Definition of parlous

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