parlay

Meanings

Plural: parlays

Noun

a series of wagers in which the winnings from one wager are used as a stake for the subsequent wagers
A bet or series of bets where the stake and winnings are cumulatively carried forward; an accumulator.

Verb

stake winnings from one bet on a subsequent wager
To carry forward the stake and winnings from a bet on to a subsequent wager or series of wagers.
To increase (an asset, money, etc.) by gambling or investing in a daring manner.
To convert (a situation, thing, etc.) into something better.
Alternative spelling of parley (“to have a discussion, especially one between enemies”).

Origin / Etymology

The verb is derived from paroli (“cumulative bet in card games”), possibly modified under the influence of French parler (“to speak, talk”). Paroli is derived from French paroli (“double stake”), from Italian paroli, plural of parolo (first-person singular present indicative of parare (“to protect or shield (from); to prepare”), from Latin parāre, present active infinitive of parō (“to arrange, prepare; to furnish, provide”), from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to go through; to carry forth, fare”)) + Italian -lo (suffix meaning ‘it; this or that thing’).
The noun is derived from the verb.

Synonyms

double up

Scrabble Score: 11

parlay is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
parlay is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
parlay is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

parlay is a valid Words With Friends word