'To beat a parley' definitions:

Definition of 'To beat a parley'

From: GCIDE
  • Parley \Par"ley\, 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]