First Known Use: 1560
Dictionary
1sally
noun sal·ly \ˈsa-lē\
: a clever and funny remark
: a sudden attack in which a group of soldiers rush forward against an enemy
plural sallies
Full Definition of SALLY
1
: an action of rushing or bursting forth; especially : a sortie of troops from a defensive position to attack the enemy
3
: a venture or excursion usually off the beaten track : jaunt
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Origin of SALLY
Middle French saillie, from Old French, from saillir to rush forward, from Latin salire to leap; akin to Greek hallesthai to leap
2sally
intransitive verb
sal·liedsal·ly·ing
Definition of SALLY
1
: to leap out or burst forth suddenly
First Known Use of SALLY
1560
SALLY[1] Defined for Kids
1sally
noun sal·ly \ˈsa-lē\
plural sallies
Definition of SALLY for Kids
1
: a sudden attack especially by besieged soldiers
2
: a clever and funny remark
2sally
verb
sal·liedsal·ly·ing
Definition of SALLY for Kids
1
: to rush out <When I had first sallied from the door, the other mutineers had been already swarming up the palisade … — Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island>
2
: to set out (as from home) <We sallied forth at dusk.>
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