From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
parry
n 1: (fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular
motion of the sword
2: a return punch (especially by a boxer) [syn: counterpunch,
parry, counter]
v 1: impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an
attack" [syn: parry, block, deflect]
2: avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
(duties, questions, or issues); "He dodged the issue"; "she
skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their
responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully" [syn:
hedge, fudge, evade, put off, circumvent, parry,
elude, skirt, dodge, duck, sidestep]