sally

See also Sally

English

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Middle English saly, from Old English saliġ, sealh (“willow”). More at sallow.

Noun

sally (plural sallies)

  1. A willow
  2. Any tree that looks like a willow
  3. An object made from the above trees' wood
Derived terms
  • sally rod
Translations
willow — see willow
a willow rod

Etymology 2

From French saillie, from sailli, the past participle of the verb saillir 'to leap forth', itself from Latin salire 'to leap'

Noun

sally (plural sallies)

  1. A sortie of troops from a besieged place against an enemy.
  2. A sudden rushing forth.
  3. (figuratively) A witty statement or quip, usually at the expense of one's interlocutor.
    • 2012 April 26, Tasha Robinson, “Film: Reviews: The Pirates! Band Of Misfits :”, The Onion AV Club:
      The stakes are low and the story beats are incidental amid the rush of largely mild visual gags and verbal sallies like “Blood Island! So called because it’s the exact shape of some blood!”
  4. An excursion or side trip.
  5. A tufted woollen part of a bellrope, used to provide grip when ringing a bell.
See also
Translations
a sortie
a sudden rushing forth
an excursion or side trip
a witty statement or quip

Verb

sally (third-person singular simple present sallies, present participle sallying, simple past and past participle sallied)

  1. (intransitive) To make a sudden attack on an enemy from a defended position.
    The troops sallied in desperation.
  2. (intransitive) To set out on an excursion; venture; depart (often followed by "forth.")
    As she sallied forth from her boudoir, you would never have guessed how quickly she could strip for action. -William Manchester
  3. (intransitive) To venture off the beaten path.
Translations
to make a sudden attack from defended position
to set out on an excursion
to venture off the beaten path

Etymology 3

From salvation in Salvation Army, from Latin salvatio

Noun

sally (plural sallies)

  1. (New Zealand, slang) A member of the Salvation Army.
Synonyms
  • Salvo

Anagrams

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Last modified on 19 May 2013, at 19:04