palaver
palaver Lexical Profile
palaver Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Prolonged, idle, or tedious talk, or unnecessary fuss and commotion over a trivial matter.
"Getting the permits approved was a complete palaver that took nearly three weeks of endless paperwork."
An improvised conference, parley, or lengthy negotiation, historically between European traders and local inhabitants in West Africa.
"The expedition leaders held a long palaver with the village elders to secure safe passage through the valley."
Flattering, wheedling, or cajoling talk intended to deceive or persuade someone.
"She saw right through the salesman's smooth palaver and refused to sign the contract."
• verb
To talk at length and unproductively, or to engage in idle chatter or parley.
"The committee members palavered for hours without reaching a single actionable decision."
To flatter, wheedle, or cajole someone with fast or deceptive talk.
"He tried to palaver the guard into letting him through the gate after hours."
• Rhymes for palaver
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 18th century by British sailors from Portuguese 'palavra' (word or speech), which used it to describe negotiations with local leaders on the West African coast; ultimately from Late Latin 'parabola' (speech or parable).