sally

n.; pl. Sallies [ F. saillie, fr. saillir. See Sally, v. ] 1. A leaping forth; a darting; a spring. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sallies were made by the Spaniards, but they were beaten in with loss. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An excursion from the usual track; range; digression; deviation. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A flight of fancy, liveliness, wit, or the like; a flashing forth of a quick and active mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

The unaffected mirth with which she enjoyed his sallies. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Transgression of the limits of soberness or steadiness; act of levity; wild gayety; frolic; escapade. [ 1913 Webster ]

The excursion was esteemed but a sally of youth. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ From a woman, Sally Lunn, who is said to have first made the cakes, and sold them in the streets of Bath, Eng. ] A tea cake slighty sweetened, and raised with yeast, baked in the form of biscuits or in a thin loaf, and eaten hot with butter. [ 1913 Webster ]