Word
parole
Phoneticspa·role
US/pɝˈoʊɫ/
UK/pəɹˈəʊl/
Definitions
01conditional release from prison
n. the release of a prisoner before their full sentence is over, as long as they follow certain rules.
n. the conditional release of a convict before the expiration of a custodial sentence, subject to supervision and specific requirements of conduct.
“He was released on parole after serving five years of his ten-year sentence.”
“The board granted him parole after considering his exemplary behaviour and the low risk of recidivism presented by his current psychological profile.”
Usage
Usually used with the preposition 'on'.
Pitfall
He was released in parole.
He was released on parole.
In English, the standard preposition used with the state of being on parole is 'on'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02word of honour
n. a promise or word of honour, especially one given by a prisoner of war not to fight again.
n. a person's word of honour or solemn promise, historically used by prisoners of war to secure release by promising not to take up arms again.
“The captured officer gave his parole that he would not attempt to escape.”
“In the eighteenth century, an officer's parole was considered a sacred bond that allowed him a degree of freedom even while in enemy territory.”
Archaic · Formal
Teaching tip
This sense is largely restricted to historical literature and period dramas; modern speakers almost exclusively use the legal sense.
03language in use
n. the way people actually speak in real life, rather than the rules of a language system.
n. the actual linguistic acts or speech of individuals, contrasted with 'langue' (the abstract system of language).
“The professor explained the difference between the rules of grammar and actual parole.”
“Saussurean linguistics distinguishes between 'langue', the collective system of signs, and 'parole', the individual execution of those signs in speech.”
Academic · Technical
Usage
Often used in contrast with the French term 'langue'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04to release a prisoner
v. to allow a prisoner to leave jail early under special rules.
v. to release a convict from prison on the condition of good behaviour and regular reporting to an officer.
“The judge decided to parole the inmate because he had shown great progress.”
“The state rarely chooses to parole offenders who have committed violent crimes without a lengthy period of rehabilitation.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Plans to hire Peters, who is still on parole and must receive permission to travel outside of Colorado, were first reported by Action News Now .” “Justice Christopher Beale last year agreed that Patterson's crimes were the worst of their kind, but said his decision to allow parole after 33 years was influenced by the "harsh prison conditions" she faced.” “He had applied for parole three times before his request was approved by the Parole Board in April.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.