Sally

Sal′ly (săl′ly̆), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sallied (-lĭd); p. pr. & vb. n. Sallying.] [F. saillir, fr. L. salire to leap, spring, akin to Gr. ἅλλεσθαι; 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, 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.