sally port

Sally \Sal"ly\, n.; pl. {Sallies}. [F. saillie, fr. saillir. See
   Sally, v.]
   1. A leaping forth; a darting; a spring.
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   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.
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            Sallies were made by the Spaniards, but they were
            beaten in with loss.                  --Bacon.
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   3. An excursion from the usual track; range; digression;
      deviation.
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            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.
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   4. A flight of fancy, liveliness, wit, or the like; a
      flashing forth of a quick and active mind.
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            The unaffected mirth with which she enjoyed his
            sallies.                              --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
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   5. Transgression of the limits of soberness or steadiness;
      act of levity; wild gayety; frolic; escapade.
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            The excursion was esteemed but a sally of youth.
                                                  --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.
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   {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.
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