Rallies

ral·ly ¹  (rl)

v. ral·lied, ral·ly·ing, ral·lies

v.tr.

1. To call together for a common purpose; assemble: rally troops at a parade ground.

2. To reassemble and restore to order: rally scattered forces.

3. To rouse or revive from inactivity or decline: paused to refresh themselves and rally their strength.

v.intr.

1. To come together for a common purpose.

2. To join in an effort for a common cause: "In the terror and confusion of change, society rallied round the kings" (Garrett Mattingly).

3. To recover abruptly from a setback or disadvantage: The stock market declined, then rallied. The home team rallied in the ninth inning to win the game.

4. To show sudden improvement in health or spirits.

5. Sports To exchange several strokes before a point is won, as in tennis.

n. pl. ral·lies

1. A gathering, especially one intended to inspire enthusiasm for a cause: a political rally.

2.

a. A reassembling, as of dispersed troops.

b. The signal ordering this reassembly.

3. An abrupt recovery from a setback or disadvantage.

4. A sharp improvement in health, vigor, or spirits.

5. A notable rise in stock market prices and trading volume after a decline.

6. Sports

a. An exchange of strokes in a court game such as tennis or volleyball, ending when one side fails to make a good return and resulting in a point or the loss of service.

b. A competition in which automobiles are driven over public roads and under normal traffic regulations but with specified rules as to speed, time, and route.

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[French rallier, from Old French ralier : re-, re- + alier, to unite, ally; see ally.]

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ral·ly ²  (rl)

v. ral·lied, ral·ly·ing, ral·lies

v.tr.

To tease good-humoredly; banter.

v.intr.

To engage in good-humored teasing or jesting.

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[French railler, from Old French, to tease; see rail³.]