| Library / English Dictionary |
PALAVER
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Loud and confused and empty talk
Example:
mere rhetoric
Synonyms:
empty talk; empty words; hot air; palaver; rhetoric
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("palaver" is a kind of...):
bunk; hokum; meaninglessness; nonsense; nonsensicality (a message that seems to convey no meaning)
Derivation:
palaver (speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Flattery intended to persuade
Synonyms:
blandishment; cajolery; palaver
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("palaver" is a kind of...):
flattery (excessive or insincere praise)
Derivation:
palaver (influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Have a lengthy discussion, usually between people of different backgrounds
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "palaver" is one way to...):
parley (discuss, as between enemies)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Sentence examples:
Sam and Sue palaver
Sam wants to palaver with Sue
Sense 2
Meaning:
Influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
Example:
He palavered her into going along
Synonyms:
blarney; cajole; coax; inveigle; palaver; sweet-talk; wheedle
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "palaver" is one way to...):
persuade (cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "palaver"):
soft-soap (persuade someone through flattery)
browbeat; bully; swagger (discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody into V-ing something
Derivation:
palaver (flattery intended to persuade)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
Synonyms:
blab; blabber; chatter; clack; gabble; gibber; maunder; palaver; piffle; prate; prattle; tattle; tittle-tattle; twaddle
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "palaver" is one way to...):
mouth; speak; talk; utter; verbalise; verbalize (express in speech)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "palaver"):
babble; blather; blether; blither; smatter (to talk foolishly)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Derivation:
palaver (loud and confused and empty talk)
