means The supreme law-making body of a nation, made up of elected (and sometimes appointed) representatives who debate, pass legislation, and hold the government to account.

from From Old French 'parlement,' meaning a speaking or conference, built on 'parler,' to talk — itself from Late Latin 'parabolare,' to speak in comparisons or parables, related to the Greek 'parabolē.' So at its root, a parliament is simply a place for talking — a fact that anyone who has watched one in session will find either reassuring or damning.