I. ˈralē, -li verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: French rallier, from Old French ralier, from re- + alier to unite — more at ally
transitive verb
1.
a. : to muster, call up, or summon for a common purpose
they knew well that he would rally his friends and pursue them — H.E.Scudder
b. : to recall (a scattered force or group) to order or unity : regather , reunite
would permit the chancellor to rally the drifting and disillusioned voters once more around the … banner — F.E.Hirsch
2.
a. : to stir up (a power of mind or body) : collect
rallied his tired wits to face this fresh problem
rallied his energies and struck again
b. : to rouse (one) from depression or weakness : restore the spirits or courage of
felt she had to be salty to rally him
3. : to strengthen the price of (as securities) after a decline : cause to rise in price
the news rallied an unsteady market
4. : to haul or let run (a sail) sharply in a specified direction
intransitive verb
1. : to reunite so as to renew an effort (as a battle) : recoup forces : reassemble
the soldiers … rallied at the top of a high hill — O.G.Libby
2. : to unite as supporters or followers : join in a common cause
upwards of 700 people rallied to him — G.H.Genzmer
3.
a. : to collect one's vital powers : recuperate , revive
rallied after months of prostration from grief and shock
b. : to rebound in price
stocks rallied after brief uncertainty
c. : to regain offensive strength : recapture initiative : come back — used especially of an athletic contestant or team
4.
a. : to engage in a court rally
b. : to practice or warm up by exchanging shots (as in tennis) with an opponent
Synonyms: see stir
II. noun
( -es )
1.
a. : a recouping or reuniting of forces: as
(1) : a mustering together of scattered forces to renew an effort or contest
(2) : a summoning up of strength or courage after weakness, sickness, or dejection
b. : a recovery of price after a decline
a sharp rally lent buoyancy to the market before closing
2. : a mass meeting intended to arouse group enthusiasm or support (as for a political candidate or a school team)
3. : a series of strokes that are interchanged between players (as in tennis) before a point is won
4. also ral·lye “ -s : a competitive long-distance automobile run especially of sport cars over public roads and under ordinary traffic rules with the object of maintaining a specified exact average speed between checkpoints over a route unknown to the participants until the start of the run
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: French railler, from Middle French — more at rail
transitive verb
: to attack with raillery : banter , ridicule
rallied him on his overweening pretensions
intransitive verb
archaic : to indulge in raillery, pleasantry, or derision
Synonyms: see ridicule