Etymology Borrowed from French saillie, from sailli, the past participle of the verb saillir (“to leap forth”), itself from Latin salīre (“to leap”).
1
To make a sudden attack (e.g. on an enemy from a defended position).
The troops sallied in desperation.
A feeding strategy of some birds is to sally out from a perch to snatch an insect and then returning to the same or a different perch.
2
To set out on an excursion; venture; depart (often followed by "forth").
So I tucked my violin under my arm, and sallied out after the old budgy ragman, determined to ease him of his load at the very first lonesome corner I could track him to.1876, The Shamrock, volume 14:
Adverse comment begins with uncomplimentary observations on the somewhat harder seats, then reaches a crescendo when it is discovered that the perverse and unhurried train is actually going to wait for another connection which is running late, instead of sallying forth at once for the benefit of those already on board and leaving latecomers stranded.1942 July-August, “The Country Branch”, in Railway Magazine, page 194:
1 more example
Along the Manchurian frontier was a 160km strip of land the US pilots dubbed 'MiG Alley'. Beyond it lay the North Korean, Chinese and Russian squadrons. From those airbases, MiGs sallied forth to attack the bombers striking North Korea.2007 September 30, Andrew Salmon, “Dogfights and daring in Korea's deep blue yonder”, in South China Morning Post, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 03 Mar 2024, Latest:
Etymology Borrowed from French saillie, from sailli, the past participle of the verb saillir (“to leap forth”), itself from Latin salīre (“to leap”).
1
A sortie of troops from a besieged place against an enemy.
The rest of his horsemen the Duke sent to his campe, bicause they heard a great noise there, and doubted the enimies sally, and indeede they had issued foorth thrise, but were alwaies repulsed, especially through the valiantns of the English men that the Duke left there behind him [...]1596, Philippe de Commynes, The historie of Philip de Commines Knight, Lord of Argenton, London: Ar. Hatfield, pages 50-51:
The besieged made another Sally, and killed several of the Enemy at Penyburn-Hill, but were forced to Retreat, being pressed by the Enemies Horse, who charged us on all sides.1689, George Walker, A true account of the siege of London-Derry by the Reverend Mr. George Walker, London, page 24:
2
A sudden rushing forth.
Flocks of these birds stir up flying insects, which can then be picked off in quick sallies.
3
Figuratively A witty statement or quip, usually at the expense of one's interlocutor.
Till then she had never formed an idea of one so gifted and so charming. She listened with astonishment to her companion's gay sallies, and answers, as piquant as they were ready.1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The First Doubt”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 39:
Bull snuffed; he never paid any attention to her sallies but he heard them.1957 September 5, Jack Kerouac, On the Road, New York, N.Y.: Viking Press, →OCLC:
1 more example
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!”2012 April 26, Tasha Robinson, “Film: Reviews: The Pirates! Band Of Misfits”, in The Onion AV Club:
4
An excursion or side trip.
Everyone 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.a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, →OCLC:
5
A tufted woollen part of a bellrope, used to provide grip when ringing a bell.