Sally \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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