parole

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*per-
2. Proto-Indo-European*preh₂-
3. Proto-Hellenic*pərai
4. Ancient Greekπᾰρᾰ́ (părắ)
5. Ancient Greekπαρα- (para-)
6. Proto-Indo-European*gʷelH-
7. Proto-Hellenic*gʷəlnō
8. Ancient Greekβάλλω (bállō)
9. Ancient Greekπαραβάλλω (parabállō)
10. Ancient Greekπαραβολή (parabolḗ)
11. Latinparabola
12. Vulgar Latin*paraula
13. Old Frenchparole
14. Middle Frenchparole
15. English todayparole

Borrowed from Middle French parole (“word, formal promise”), from Old French parole, from Late Latin parabola (“speech”), from Ancient Greek παραβολή (parabolḗ). Doublet of parabola, parable, and palaver.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 17th c. 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.
• from 17th c. 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.
• from 17th c. A word of honor, especially given by a prisoner of war, to not engage in combat if released.
• from 18th c. A watchword or code phrase; (military) a password given only to officers, distinguished from the countersign, which is given to all guards.
• from 20th c. Language in use, as opposed to language as a system.