Both Uses of
parry
in
Oliver Twist
- 'Why, do you think?' inquired Fagin, parrying the question.†
Chpt 20 *
- 'He my husband!' tittered the matron, parrying the question.†
Chpt 38
Definition:
-
(parry) to avoid -- especially to deflect (cause something to change direction)in 2 primary senses:
- to avoid an attack -- especially a physical attack as when deflecting the thrust of a sword
- to avoid answering a question with a clever response that directs attention elsewhere