Sally — Defs

01 v. i. 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.

imp. & p. p. Sallied; p. pr. & vb. n. Sallying

1.
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.

02 n. A leaping forth; a darting; a spring.

pl. Sallies ((#))

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.

Phrases & compounds

Sally port — A postern gate, or a passage underground, from the inner to the outer works, to afford free egress for troops in a sortie