palaver

Definition

A village council meeting.

Etymology

Originally nautical slang, from Portuguese palavra (“word”), from Late Latin parabola (“parable, speech”). The term's use (especially in Africa) mimics the evolution of the word moot. As such, for sense development, see moot. Doublet of parable, parole, and parabola.

Example Sentences

• "Here we remained four days, on account of a palaver which was held on the following occasion."
• "That night the village warriors held a big palaver to celebrate their victories, and to choose a new chief."
• "Frances pulled his hair heartily, and then went and seated herself on her husband’s knee, and there they were, like two babies, kissing and talking nonsense by the hour—foolish palaver that we should be ashamed of."