imparlance

English

Ultimately from Anglo-Norman emparlance, from the verb Old French emparler. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

imparlance (countable and uncountable, plural imparlances)

(obsolete) Discussion, especially before some action is taken; conference, debate.
- 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
  Full oftentimes did Britomart assay / To speake to them, and some emparlance move; / But they for nought their cruell hands would stay […].
(law, obsolete) Time given to a party to talk or converse with his opponent, originally with the object of effecting, if possible, an amicable adjustment of the suit, but also used to obtain further time to plead or answer allegations.
- 1726, [Jonathan Swift], Cadenus and Vanessa. A Poem, London: […] J. Roberts […], →OCLC, page 9:
  [W]ith Rejoinders and Replies, / Long Bills, and Anſvvers, ſtuft vvith Lies, / Demurr, Imparlance, and Eſſoign, / The Parties ne'er could Iſſue join: / For Sixteen Years the Cauſe vvas ſpun, / And then ſtood vvhere it firſt begun.