Sallies

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Sally \Sal"ly\, 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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