*arley*

{ } n. An ancient rural game, commonly played round stacks of barley, or other grain, in which some of the party attempt to catch others who run from a goal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Lit. barley broth. See Brew. ] Liquor made from barley; strong ale. [ Humorous ] [ Scot. ] Burns. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Corn. ] 1. A grain or “corn” of barley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Formerly , a measure of length, equal to the average length of a grain of barley; the third part of an inch. [ 1913 Webster ]

John Barleycorn, a humorous personification of barley as the source of malt liquor or whisky. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Parleys [ F. parler speech, talk, fr. parler to speak, LL. parabolare, fr. L. parabola a comparison, parable, in LL., a word. See Parable, and cf. Parliament, Parlor. ] Mutual discourse or conversation; discussion; hence, an oral conference with an enemy, as with regard to a truce. [ 1913 Webster ]

We yield on parley, but are stormed in vain. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

To beat a parley (Mil.), to beat a drum, or sound a trumpet, as a signal for holding a conference with the enemy. [ 1913 Webster ]