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Webster's 1913 Dictionary

PARTHIAN

PARTHIAN Par "thi *an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to ancient Parthia, in Asia. -- n.

Defn: A native Parthia. Parthian arrow, an arrow discharged at an enemy when retreating from him, as was the custom of the ancient Parthians; hence, a parting shot.

New American Oxford Dictionary

Parthian shot

Par thi an shot ▶noun another term for parting shot. ORIGIN late 19th cent.: so named because of the trick used by Parthians of shooting arrows backward while in real or pretended flight.

Oxford Dictionary

Parthian shot

Par |thian shot |ˈpɑːθɪən | ▶noun another term for parting shot. ORIGIN late 19th cent.: so named because of the trick used by Parthians of shooting arrows backwards while in real or pretended flight.