rally English · revision 5874

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1603|origins=fr rallier}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈræl.i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|rallier]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|fro|ralier|t=to reassemble, unite again]], from re- “again” and alier “to unite” (see [[ally]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) In Old French re- often appeared as ra- with the next consonant doubled, by confusion with the ra- from Latin re- and ad-, as in [[rabbet]], a doublet of [[rebate]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To bring persons together for a common purpose: 1603, in Florio's translation of Montaigne;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) to reassemble a scattered army is from 1604 in the OED.^(OED 1989) MWU dates the transitive verb to 1599.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To pull together, revive or rouse is first in Milton's ''Paradise Lost'' (1667),^(Barnhart 1988) intransitive by the 1660s.^(Etymonline) The noun was military at first: in 1651, a rapid regrouping for renewed effort after a repulse.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Recovery of strength is from 1826, in Scott,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and a rise in share prices after a fall from 1930.^(OED 1989) A political mass meeting is American English from 1840.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) In boxing a bout or a flurry of blows is from 1825, and in tennis the series of strokes between the service and the end of a point from 1881 in Etymonline, 1887 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A competitive event for motor vehicles is from 1932, from French rallye,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) which itself had been borrowed from the English noun.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) ''Rally round the flag'' (1862) is a line from the Civil War song “Battle Cry of Freedom”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1603 – to gather supporters, in Florio.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1651 – a regrouping of troops.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1667 – to revive, rouse, in Milton.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1825 – a flurry of blows in boxing.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1826 – a recovery of strength.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1840 – a political mass meeting.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1881 – a rally in tennis.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1930 – a rise in share prices.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1932 – a motor rally.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To bring or come together for a common [[purpose]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To reassemble and restore to order, as [[troops]] after a dispersal.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To recover suddenly, in health, spirits or performance.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of [[price|alt=prices]] on a stock exchange, to rise sharply after a fall.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A large public [[meeting]] held to arouse support for a cause.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sudden recovery or improvement.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # In [[tennis]] and similar games, an exchange of strokes before a point is won.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A competition in which cars are driven over public roads or rough country.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[rallyist]]

+ * [[counterrally]]

+ * [[unrallied]]

+ * [[pep rally]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ally]]

+ * [[rely]]

+ * [[rallye]]

+ * [[raillery]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Rally, to tease good-humouredly or banter, is a different word, from 1668, borrowed from French railler “to mock” (see [[rail]] and [[raillery]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}