rally

I. verb (rallied; rallying) Etymology: French rallier, from Old French ralier, from re- + alier to unite — more at ally Date: 1603 transitive verb 1. a. to muster for a common purpose b. to recall to order 2. a. to arouse for action b. to rouse from depression or weakness intransitive verb 1. to come together again to renew an effort 2. to join in a common cause 3. recover, rebound <

rallied briefly from his illness

> 4. to engage in a rally II. noun (plural rallies) Date: 1651 1. a. a mustering of scattered forces to renew an effort b. a summoning up of strength or courage after weakness or dejection c. a recovery of price after a decline d. a renewed offensive 2. a mass meeting intended to arouse group enthusiasm 3. a series of shots interchanged between players (as in tennis) before a point is won 4. (also rallye) [French rallye, from English rally (I)] an automobile competition using public roads and ordinary traffic rules with the object of maintaining a specified average speed between checkpoints over a route unknown to the participants until the start of the event III. transitive verb (rallied; rallying) Etymology: French railler to mock, rally — more at rail Date: 1668 to attack with raillery ; banter