n.mid-14c., "confab, chat," from dally + -ance. Probably formed in Anglo-French, but not attested there. Meaning "amorous play, flirtation" is from late 14c.; that of "idle or frivolous activity" is from 1540s. if (window.googletag) {googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('dcomMobileSERPDisplayTopAd-300x250'); });} else {console.error('googletag not defined, dcomMobileSERPDisplayTopAd-300x250');}
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