sally

A willow.

Any tree that resembles a willow.

An object made from the wood of a willow.

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 [...]

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.

A sudden rushing forth.

Flocks of these birds stir up flying insects, which can then be picked off in quick sallies.

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.

Bull snuffed; he never paid any attention to her sallies but he heard them.

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

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.

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.

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.

To venture off the beaten path.