(US, immigration law) The permission for a foreigner who does not meet the technical requirements for a visa to be allowed to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds.
(law) Alternative form of parol
(linguistics) Language in use, as opposed to language as a system.
(now historical) A word of honor, especially given by a prisoner of war, to not engage in combat if released.
(now rare) A watchword or code phrase; (military) a password given only to officers, distinguished from the countersign, which is given to all guards.
(with on) Originally, one's oath or word of honour, given as a condition of release from custody; now specifically, describing the release of a former prisoner under certain conditions, especially the promise of good behaviour.
Conditional release of a prisoner (now especially before the end of a custodial sentence), or the term or state of such release; the system governing such releases.
verb
(transitive, law) To release (a prisoner) on the understanding that s/he checks in regularly and obeys the law.
