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palaver - What does it mean?

Definition of 'palaver'

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (Africa) A village council meeting, a folkmoot
  • * '>citation
  • Talk, especially unnecessary talk, fuss.
  • *1886 , , The Princess Casamassima .
  • *:These remarks were received with a differing demonstration: some of the company declaring that if the Dutchman cared to come round and smoke a pipe they would be glad to see him—perhaps he'd show where the thumbscrews had been put on; others being strongly of the opinion that they didn't want any more advice—they had already had advice enough to turn a donkey's stomach. What they wanted was to put forth their might without any more palaver ; to do something, or for some one; to go out somewhere and smash something, on the spot—why not?—that very night.
  • * 1899 , , Active Service :
    • Knowing full well the right time and the wrong time for a palaver of regret and disavowal, this battalion struggled in the desperation of despair.
  • * 1985 , , Option Lock , p 229:
    • Not for the first time, he reflected that it was not so much the speeches that strained the nerves as the palaver that went with them.
  • A meeting at which there is much talk; a debate, a moot.
  • * Carlyle
    • This epoch of parliaments and eloquent palavers .
  • (informal) Disagreement
    • I have no palaver with him.

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To discuss with much talk.
  • * 1860 , Atlantic Monthly , vol. 5, no. 30 (April),
    • “That,” he rejoined, “is a way we Americans have. We cannot stop to palaver . What would become of our manifest destiny?”

    Synonyms

    * See also ----

    Similar to 'palaver'

    plover, pilfer, pullover, plapper, polypier, pilferer, plipper, pulpier, ploppier, playfeer, pilifer