Hypertext Webster Gateway: "palaver"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Palaver \Pa*la"ver\, n. [Sp. palabra, or Pg. palavra, fr. L.
parabola a comparison, a parable, LL., a word. See Parable.]
1. Talk; conversation; esp., idle or beguiling talk;
talk intended to deceive; flattery.
2. In Africa, a parley with the natives; a talk; hence,
a public conference and deliberation; a debate.
This epoch of parliaments and eloquent palavers. --Carlyle.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Palaver \Pa*la"ver\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Palavered;
p. pr. & vb. n. Palavering.] To make palaver with, or to;
to use palaver; to talk idly or deceitfully; to employ
flattery; to cajole; as, to palaver artfully.
Palavering the little language for her benefit. --C. Bront?
From WordNet (r) 1.5 Database (wn)
palaver n 1: [syn: blandishment, cajolery] 2: [syn: hot air,
empty words, empty talk, rhetoric] v 1: [syn: chatter,
piffle, prate, tittle-tattle, twaddle, clack, maunder,
prattle, gibber, tattle, blabber, gabble]
2: "He palavered her into going along" [syn: wheedle,
cajole, blarney, coax, sweet-talk, inveigle]
3: have a lengthy discussion, usually between people
of different backgrounds
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