PARO'LE, n. [L. parabola.]
1. Properly, a word; hence, in a legal sense, words or oral declaration; word of mouth. Formerly, conveyances were made by parol or word of mouth only.
2. Pleadings in a suit; as anciently all pleadings were viva voce or ore tenus.
The parol may demur.
PAROL\par PARO'LE, a. Given by word of mouth; oral; not written; as parol evidence.
[It would be well to write this word parole, in uniformity with the following, there being no good reason for a distinction.]
PARO'LE, n. [See Parol.] Word of mouth. In military affairs, a promise given by a prisoner of war, when he has leave to depart from custody, that he will return at the time appointed, unless discharged. A parole is properly a verbal or unwritten promise, but I believe it is customary to take a promise in writing.
