Parlous

/ˈpɑːləs/ · adjective

Meaning

Attended with peril; dangerous, risky..

Definitions by Sense

1. Attended with peril; dangerous, risky.
2. Appalling, dire, terrible.
3. (rare or obsolete, also England, dialectal) Dangerously clever or cunning; also, remarkably good or unusual.
4. (archaic) Extremely, very.

Example Sentences

The situation became parlous when the weather made resupply impossible.

[B]ables and comedies are parlous fellowes to decipher, and diſcourage men (that is the point) with their wittie flowtes and learned jerkes, enough to laſh any man out of countenance.

The tongue is a sharp and parlous weapon, which we are bound to keep up in the sheath, or never to draw forth but advisedly, and upon just occasion; it must ever be wielded with caution and care: to brandish it wantonly, to lay about with it blindly and furiously, to slash and smite therewith any that happeth to come in our way, doth argue malice or madness.

The safest way in such a parlous doubt, / Is steady watch and keep a sharp look out.

in a parlous state

All whiche offences and mysdemenors abovesaid have bene commytted to the grete hurte and undoyng of your orator, and the right evill and parlous example, [etc.]; […]

The preſent panges and parlous thoughts, / That pearceth troubled minds: / Is knowne to none but ſuch I ſay, / That lacke of freedome finds.

[Nick] Bot[tom]. There are things in this Comedy of Piramus and Thisby, that will neuer pleaſe. Firſt, Piramus muſt draw a ſword to kill himſelfe; which the Ladys cannot abide. How anſwer you that? / [Tom] Snout. Berlaken, a parlous feare.

Synonyms for parlous

Antonyms for parlous

Related Words

Word Forms

• more parlous
• most parlous

Usage Notes

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