parole

plural paroles

1. uncountableusuallywith onOriginally, 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.First known use 17th c.

   He was released on parole.

   1 more example

   He will be on parole for nearly two more years.

2. uncountableusuallyConditional 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.First known use 17th c.

   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.

   2023 February 16, WCCO Staff, “Julissa Thaler sentenced to life in prison for murdering 6-year-old son, Eli Hart”, in cbsnews.com

3. historicaluncountableusuallyA word of honor, especially given by a prisoner of war, to not engage in combat if released.First known use 17th c.

   This man had forfeited his military parole.

   1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC

   1 more example

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

   1926, T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, New York: Anchor, published 1991, page 167

4. archaicuncountableusuallyA watchword or code phrase; (military) a password given only to officers, distinguished from the countersign, which is given to all guards.First known use 18th c.

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

   1791, James Boswell, Life of Johnson, Oxford, published 2008, page 1143

   1 more example

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

   1796, John Stedman, chapter 4, in Narrative of a Five Years’ Expedition,, volume 1, London: J. Johnson, page 80

5. uncountableusuallyhuman sciencesLanguage in use, as opposed to language as a system.First known use 20th c.
6. USuncountableusuallyimmigration lawThe 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. alternativeuncountableusuallylawAlternative form of parol.

present singular third person paroles · participle present paroling · participle past paroled · past paroled

1. transitivelawTo 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.

   1980 April 12, Lew Lasher, “INS 'Paroles' Australian; Policy Still Unclear”, in Gay Community News, page 1

2. intransitiveTo 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.

   1983 August 20, Dwain Rasmussen, “Personal advertisement”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 6, page 23