Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sally
Sal′ly
(săl′ly̆)
, Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Sallied
(-lĭd)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sallying
.] [F.
saillir
, fr. L. salire
to leap, spring, akin to Gr. ἄλλεσθαι
; cf. Skr. sṛ
to go, to flow. Cf. Salient
, Assail
, Assault
, Exult
, Insult
, Saltation
, Saltire
.] To leap or rush out; to burst forth; to issue suddenly; as a body of troops from a fortified place to attack besiegers; to make a sally.
They break the truce, and
sally
out by night. Dryden.
The foe retires, – she heads the
sallying
host. Byron.
Sal′ly
,Noun.
pl.
Sallies
(#)
. [F. ]
saillie
, fr. saillir
. See Sally
, Verb.
1.
A leaping forth; a darting; a spring.
2.
A rushing or bursting forth; a quick issue; a sudden eruption; specifically, an issuing of troops from a place besieged to attack the besiegers; a sortie.
Sallies
were made by the Spaniards, but they were beaten in with loss. Bacon.
3.
An excursion from the usual track; range; digression; deviation.
Every one shall know a country better that makes often
sallies
into it, and traverses it up and down, than he that . . . goes still round in the same track. Locke.
4.
A flight of fancy, liveliness, wit, or the like; a flashing forth of a quick and active mind.
The unaffected mirth with which she enjoyed his
sallies
. Sir W. Scott.
5.
Transgression of the limits of soberness or steadiness; act of levity; wild gayety; frolic; escapade.
The excursion was esteemed but a
sally
of youth. Sir H. Wotton.
Sally port
. (a)
(Fort.)
A postern gate, or a passage underground, from the inner to the outer works, to afford free egress for troops in a sortie
. (b)
(Naval)
A large port on each quarter of a fireship, for the escape of the men into boats when the train is fired; a large port in an old-fashioned three-decker or a large modern ironclad.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sally
SAL'LY
,Noun.
1.
An issue or rushing of troops from a besieged place to attack the besiegers.2.
A spring or darting of intellect, fancy or imagination; flight; sprightly exertion. We say, sallies of wit, sallies of imagination.3.
Excursion from the usual track; range.He who often makes sallies into a country, and traverses it up and down, will know it better than one that goes always round in the same track.
4.
Act of levity or extravagance; wild gaiety; frolic; a bounding or darting beyond ordinary rules; as a sally of youth; a sally of levity.SAL'LY
,Verb.
I.
1.
To issue or rush out, as a body of troops from a fortified place to attack besiegers.They break the truce, and sally out by night.
2.
To issue suddenly; to make a sudden eruption.