GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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Sally (sălly̆), v. 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.
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They break the truce, and sally out by night. Dryden.
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The foe retires, -- she heads the sallying host. Byron.
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Sally, n.; pl. Sallies (#). [F. saillie, fr. saillir. See Sally, v.]
1. A leaping forth; a darting; a spring.
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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.
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Sallies were made by the Spaniards, but they were beaten in with loss. Bacon.
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3. An excursion from the usual track; range; digression; deviation.
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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.
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4. A flight of fancy, liveliness, wit, or the like; a flashing forth of a quick and active mind.
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The unaffected mirth with which she enjoyed his sallies. Sir W. Scott.
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5. Transgression of the limits of soberness or steadiness; act of levity; wild gayety; frolic; escapade.
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The excursion was esteemed but a sally of youth. Sir H. Wotton.
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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.
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