Real Dictionary

parry
verb: If you parry a question or argument, you cleverly avoid answering it or dealing with it.

Parry in American English
a warding off or a turning aside of a blow, thrust, etc., as in fencing
Sir William Edward1790-1855; Eng. naval officer & arctic explorer
to make a parry or evasion
to ward off or deflect (a blow, the thrust of a sword, etc.)
intransitive verb: to parry a thrust, blow, etc
noun: an act or instance of parrying, as in fencing
transitive verb: to ward off (a thrust, stroke, weapon, etc.), as in fencing; avert

parry in British English
noun: an act of parrying, esp (in fencing) using a stroke or circular motion of the blade
noun: Sir (Charles) Hubert (Hastings). 1848–1918, English composer, noted esp for his choral works
verb: to ward off (an attack) by blocking or deflecting, as in fencing