All 3 Uses of
parry
in
Cyrano de Bergerac
- I parry the point of your steel; —The point you hoped to make me feel; I open the line, now clutch Your spit, Sir Scullion—slow your zeal!†
Act 1parry = to avoid
- CYRANO: I parry it—find myself... CHRISTIAN: Nose to nose... CYRANO (bounding on to him): Heaven and earth!†
Act 2
- and I parry... CHRISTIAN: Pif!†
Act 2 *
Definition:
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