parer

to parry, to ward off

verb pah-REH Less Common

Origin: Latin parare (to prepare)

Also means

to adorn, to dress up

Usage Note

Parer has two distinct senses: in fencing and figurative use, it means to deflect or counter (parer un coup = 'to parry a blow'); in a formal or literary register, it means to adorn (parée de bijoux = 'adorned with jewels'). The expression parer au plus pressé means 'to deal with the most urgent matter first'.

Examples

"Il faut parer au plus pressé d'abord."

Natural Translation

We must deal with the most urgent matter first.

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