Parole
Parole
PAROLE. Derived from the French parole d'honneur (word of honor), a parole is a pledge or oath under which a prisoner of war is released with the understanding that he will not again bear arms until exchanged. Sometimes the parole included geographical restrictions. The victor often is happy to parole prisoners because this relieves him of the administrative burden of caring for them; also, sometimes he does not have the transportation or guards to evacuate prisoners, particularly the wounded. Another sense of "parole," as defined in Thomas Wilhelm's Military Dictionary (rev. ed, 1881), is a "watch-word differing from the countersign in that it is only communicated to officers of the guard, while the countersign is given to all members."
revised by Mark M. Boatner
