Parry departs leaving bill (5)
I believe the answer is:
avert
'parry' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for avert that I've seen before include "Turn away (ones eyes)" , "Turn away, prevent" , "Head off" , "Deflect away" , "Prevent, ward off" .)