parole

noun

1. 1

   Originally, one's oath or word of honour, given as a condition of release from custody; now specifically, describing the release of a former prisoner under certain conditions, especially the promise of good behaviour.

   He will be on parole for nearly two more years.

   He was released on parole.

2. 2

   Conditional release of a prisoner (now especially before the end of a custodial sentence), or the term or state of such release; the system governing such releases.

   A Minnesota woman who killed her 6-year-old son will now spend the rest of her life in prison without the possibility of parole.

3. 3

   historicalA word of honor, especially given by a prisoner of war, to not engage in combat if released.

   This man had forfeited his military parole.

   In hospital he gave his parole, and was enlarged after paying for the torn blanket.

4. 4

   archaicA watchword or code phrase; (military) a password given only to officers, distinguished from the countersign, which is given to all guards.

   ‘Classical quotation is the parole of literary men all over the world.’

   […] their parole or watchword, which is orange, distinguishes them from the rebels in any action, to prevent disagreeable mistakes.

5. 5

   Language in use, as opposed to language as a system.

6. 6

   The permission for a foreigner who does not meet the technical requirements for a visa to be allowed to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds.

7. 7

   Variant of parolAlternative form of parol.

verb

1. 1

   To release (a prisoner) on the understanding that s/he checks in regularly and obeys the law.

   Whitelaw was allowed to continue to San Francisco. There, INS officials assigned Whitelaw a temporary status for "deferred examination," and "paroled" him into the U.S., permitting him to stay for his planned five-week vacation.

2. 2

   To be released on parole.

   I am a gay guy that likes S&M, and am looking for a master out on the streets to write me in here. I would like to parole to NYC some day if I can.

Forms

plural

paroles

past tense

paroled

past participle

paroled

present participle

paroling

third person singular

paroles