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Parley vs Confer - What's the difference?

parley | confer |

In intransitive terms the difference between parley and confer

is that parley is to have a discussion, especially one between enemies while confer is to talk together, to consult, discuss; to deliberate.

As a noun parley

is a conference, especially one between enemies.

parley

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A conference, especially one between enemies.
  • * (rfdate) (Dryden)
    • We yield on parley , but are stormed in vain.
  • * 1920 , , The Understanding Heart , Chapter IV
    • Without further parley Garland rode off up the hog's-back and the sheriff rode off down it …

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To have a discussion, especially one between enemies.
  • * 1638 Herbert, Sir Thomas Some years travels into divers parts of Asia and Afrique
    • ...at day break we found the villaine, who, loath to parlee in fire and ?hot, fled amaine and left us...

    See also

    * parlay * parle

    References

    * (EtymOnLine)

    Anagrams

    *

    confer

    English

    Verb

    (conferr)
  • (obsolete) To compare.
  • * 1557 (book title):
    • The Newe Testament ... Conferred diligently with the Greke, and best approued translations.
  • *, II.3.1.i:
    • Confer thine estate with others […]. Be content and rest satisfied, for thou art well in respect to others […].
  • * Boyle
    • If we confer these observations with others of the like nature, we may find cause to rectify the general opinion.
  • To talk together, to consult, discuss; to deliberate.
  • * 1974 , "A Traveler's Perils", Time , 25 Mar 1974:
    • Local buttons popped when Henry Kissinger visited Little Rock last month to confer with Fulbright on the Middle East oil talks.
  • (obsolete) To bring together; to collect, gather.
  • To grant as a possession; to bestow.
  • * Milton
    • the public marks of honour and reward conferred upon me
  • * 2010 , Andrew Rawnsley, The Observer , 7 Feb 2010:
    • The special immunities that are conferred on MPs were framed with the essential purpose of allowing them to speak freely in parliament.
  • (obsolete) To contribute; to conduce.
  • * Glanvill
    • The closeness and compactness of the parts resting together doth much confer to the strength of the union.

    Related terms

    * conference

    See also

    * cf ----