Definition of "sally" in English

noun

1. A willow.

2. Any tree that resembles a willow.

3. An object made from the wood of a willow.

noun

1. A sortie of troops from a besieged place against an enemy.

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.

4. An excursion or side trip.

5. A tufted woollen part of a bellrope, used to provide grip when ringing a bell.

verb

1. (intransitive) 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. (intransitive) To set out on an excursion; venture; depart (often followed by "forth").

3. (intransitive) To venture off the beaten path.

noun

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

noun

1. A kind of stonefly.

2. A wren.

noun

1. (slang, drugs, Canada, US) The crystalline or powdered form of MDA.