sal·ly / ˈsalē/ • n. (pl. -lies) a sudden charge out of a besieged place against the enemy; a sortie. ∎  a brief journey or sudden start into activity. ∎  a witty or lively remark, esp. one made as an attack or as a diversion in an argument; a retort.• v. (-lies, -lied) [intr.] make a military sortie: they sallied out to harass the enemy. ∎ formal or humorous set out from a place to do something: I made myself presentable and sallied forth.sal·ly² • n. (pl. -lies) the part of a bell rope that has colored wool woven into it to provide a grip for the bell-ringer's hands.

sally.
1. As salient.

2. Notch cut in the end of a piece of timber used at the lower ends of inclined timbers, e.g. rafters.

sally sortie from a besieged place XVI; sudden start or outburst XVII; sprightly remark XVIII. — (O)F. saillie, sb. use of fem. pp. of saillir issue forth, refash. of OF. salir leap :- L. salīre.
Hence vb. XVI.