Paroi (Fr.). A stout wooden frame having long, sharp-pointed stakes driven into it horizontally; it is placed upon the parapet to oppose scaling parties.
Parole. A watch-word differing from the [countersign] (which see) in that it is only communicated to officers of guards, while the countersign is given to all the members. The parole is usually the name of a person, generally a distinguished officer, while the countersign is the name of a place, as of a battle-field. It is also the declaration made on honor by an officer, in a case in which there is no more than his sense of honor to restrain him from breaking his word. Thus, a prisoner of war may be released from actual prison on his parole that he will not go beyond certain designated limits; or he may even be allowed to return to his own country on his parole not to fight again during the existing war against his captors. To break parole is accounted infamous in all civilized nations, and an officer who has so far forgotten his position as a gentleman ceases to have any claim to the treatment of an honorable man, nor can he expect quarter should he again fall into the hands of the enemy he has deceived.
Paros. One of the larger islands of the Grecian archipelago, situated west of Naxos. In ancient times, it is said to have been colonized by Cretans, and was very wealthy and powerful. It submitted to the Persians; and after the battle of Marathon was assailed ineffectually by Miltiades, who received here the wound of which he soon after died. After the death of Xerxes, Paros came under the supremacy of Athens, and shared the fate of the other Cyclades.
Parrain (Fr.). In military orders, the person who introduces or presents a newly-elected knight. The term is also used to signify the comrade who is selected by a soldier who is condemned to be shot to bind the handkerchief over his eyes.
Parrott Gun. See [Ordnance, Construction of].
Parrott Projectile. See [Projectile].
Parry. To ward off; to stop or to put or turn off; to prevent; as, to parry a thrust, a blow, or the like, or anything that means or threatens harm.
Parry. A defensive movement in sword and bayonet exercises; also a command; as, [tierce] parry, [quarte] parry, etc.
Parrying. The action of warding off the push or blow aimed at one by the other.
Parsees, or Guebres. The followers of Zerdusht, dwelt in Persia till 638, when, at the battle of Kadseah, their army was decimated by the Arabs, and the monarchy annihilated at the battle of Náhárand in 641. Many submitted to the conquerors (and their descendants are termed Guebres), but others fled to India, and their descendants still reside at Bombay (where they are termed Parsees), where they numbered 114,698 in 1849.