* A brief and casual romantic relationship. This is the most common meaning. It implies a lighthearted, often fleeting affair, without the seriousness of a committed relationship.
* A brief or casual involvement in something. It can be used more generally to describe a brief engagement with an activity, hobby, or even a subject.
Examples:
* "He had a dalliance with a woman he met at the party."
* "The author's dalliance with poetry lasted only a few years."
The word "dalliance" often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the relationship or activity is frivolous or unimportant.