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Definitions for: Sally [n] a venture off the beaten path; "a sally into the wide world beyond his home"
[n] a military action in which besieged troops burst forth from their position
[n] witty remark
Webster (1913) Definition: 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.
Synonyms: crack, quip, sallying forth, sortie, wisecrack
See Also: action, comment, military action, remark, venture
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