ral|ly

ral|ly¹ «RAL ee», verb, -lied, -ly|ing, noun, plural -lies.

–v.t.

1. to bring together; bring together again; get in order again: »

The commander was able to rally the fleeing troops.

2. to pull together; revive: »

We rallied all our energy for one last effort.

SYNONYM(S): summon.

–v.i.

1. to come together again; reassemble: »

There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Rally behind the Virginians (Barnard E. Bee).

2. to come together for a common purpose or action: »

The girls at the camp rallied to get the meals when the cook was sick.

3. to come to help a person, party, or cause: »

He rallied to the side of his frightened sister.

4. to recover health and strength: »

The sick man may rally now.

5. to recover more or less from a drop in prices.

6. to take part in a rally in tennis and similar games.

–n.

1. the act of rallying; recovery. SYNONYM(S): recuperation.

2. the act of coming together; meeting of many people: »

a political rally.

3. a) the act of hitting the ball back and forth several times in tennis and similar games: »

Kershaw was now increasing his own pace of stroke which led to many long rallies (London Times).

b) an exchange or flurry of blows in a boxing match.

4. a rise following a drop in prices: »

a sudden rally in the grain market.

5. an automobile race: »

The form of the rally has been altered since last year, in deference to the increasing restrictions placed on public-road motoring events by the authorities (Sunday Times).

╂[< French rallier < re- again, re- + allier to ally]

ral|ly² «RAL ee», verb, -lied, -ly|ing.

–v.t.

to make fun of; tease: »

The boys rallied him on his short haircut.

–v.i.

to indulge in teasing banter.

╂[< French, Middle French railler. See etym. of doublet rail². (Cf. ↑rail)]

–ral´ly|ing|ly, adverb.