‖ passe-parole Obs. rare.
Also pass-parole.
[F. (1642 in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. It. passaparola, lit. ‘pass-word’: see passe-.]
(See quots.)
| [1591 Garrard's Art Warre 172 And as they say, according to the word Passà Parola, aduance the word.] Ibid. 11 Those words..which the Captaine giues ouer to be pronounced from mouth to mouth, as to Passe Parole appertaines. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl., Pass-parole, a command given in the head of an army, and thence communicated to the rear, by passing it from mouth to mouth. |