Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Sally?

\Sal"ly\ (s[a^]l"l[y^]), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sallied} (-l[i^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Sallying}.] [F. saillir, fr. L. salire to leap, spring, akin to Gr. "a`llesqai; cf. Skr. s[.r] 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\, n.; pl. {Sallies}. [F. saillie, fr. saillir. See Sally, v.] 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.