Parthian
adjective
Par·thi·an ˈpär-thē-ən 
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of ancient Parthia or its people
2
: relating to, being, or having the effect of a shot fired while in real or feigned retreat
Parthian noun
Did you know?
The adjective Parthian, which often shows up in the phrase "Parthian shot," has its roots in the military strategies of the ancient Parthians. One of the fighting maneuvers of Parthian horsemen was to discharge arrows while in real or feigned retreat. The maneuver must have been memorable because "Parthian shot" continues to be used for a "parting shot," or a cutting remark made by a person who is leaving, many centuries after the dissolution of the Parthian empire.
Word History
First Known Use
1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1
- tetrachord
- tetrachords
- tetrachoric
- tetrachotomous
- tetrachromatic
- tetrachronous
- tetracid
- tetracids
- tetraclines
- tetraclinises
- tetraclinisses
- tetracoccus
- tetracolon
- tetracoral
- Tetracoralla
- tetracoralline
- tetracosane
- tetracosanoic acid
- tetracovalent
- tetract
- tetractine
- tetractinellid
- Tetractinellida
- tetractinellidan
- tetractinelline