parlous

adjective. dangerous, unpredictable

Word Origin & History

late 14c., late Middle English contraction of perilous.

You might find yourself in a parlous condition, Master Helstrop.

Yet reflect upon the parlous condition in which she found herself.

Ruth wrung her hands in her dismay, confronted by a parlous choice.

Five or six years ago its affairs were in so parlous a state that 19s.

Fate had given Mayo and his associate an ideal crew for that parlous job.

At this present moment a friend, a New Zealander, is in parlous plight.

Know you not, Sir Knight, that these be parlous days for making of new monopolies?

Six horses could not move it, and Guard F. Feecham was in parlous plight.

Now we all know that it is a parlous affair to fall in love in middle age.

It was plain paddling with the stream, but parlous slow, and hot and cramped.