Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DAL'LI-ANCE, n. [See Dally.]

1. Literally, delay; a lingering; appropriately, acts of fondness; interchange of caresses; toying, as males and females; as, youthful dalliance. – Milton.
2. Conjugal embraces; commerce of the sexes. – Milton.
3. Delay. [Obs.] – Shak.