parlance
UK: ˈpɑːləns | US: ˈpɑːrləns
n. a particular way of speaking or using words, especially in a specific context or group
parlance = parl<speak> + ance<noun suffix>
- parl<speak>: Derived from Old French parler ("to speak"), from Late Latin parabolare ("to talk"), rooted in Latin parabola ("comparison, speech").
- ance: A noun-forming suffix from Old French -ance, indicating a state or quality (e.g., "performance," "resistance").
Etymology Origin:
"Parlance" entered English in the late 16th century via French, retaining its core meaning of "manner of speech." The root parl- reflects its Latin ancestry in parabola (later evolving into "parable" and "parley"). The suffix -ance generalizes the concept into a noun. Historically, it often described formal or specialized language (e.g., legal or diplomatic parlance), emphasizing context-bound communication.
In medical parlance, the term "idiopathic" refers to diseases of unknown cause.
The contract was drafted in legal parlance, making it hard for laypeople to understand.
"Blockchain" is common parlance in cryptocurrency discussions.
His technical parlance confused the audience during the lecture.
The phrase "collateral damage" is military parlance for unintended civilian casualties.