Celtaddict posted:
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Yes but...
Firstly, many words have several distinct or overlapping meanings. Here, we were talking about that aspect of the meaning of 'dally' which is more or less synonymous with 'tarry'.

Secondly, i think sexual or romantic dalliance is an extension of the meaning of 'dally' we have been discussing. One dallies with a pretty maid/ploughboy (as one's taste dictates) but not with one's spouse. And no, I don't mean, in the latter case, "Chance would be a fine thing...". Sexual dalliance is a sort of lingering on the roadside of life, stopping for a while to enjoy the pleasures offered. One dallies with a pretty maid/ploughboy when one really ought to be getting on with something else. To this extent, Tarrying (stopping longer than necessary/advisable, and enjoying the surroundings) and Dallying (stopping longer than er... advisable and enjoying the er... view... are very similar in sense.

But yes, Dally often has a sexual aspect, and Tarry never does, so the words overlap in meaning, but are not completely synonymous.

Someone once said there are no synonyms in the English language. I certainly can't think of another word for synonym. ;0)