'On the volley' definitions:
Definition of 'On the volley'
From: GCIDE
- Volley \Vol"ley\, n.; pl. Volleys. [F. vol['e]e; flight, a volley, or discharge of several guns, fr. voler to fly, L. volare. See Volatile.]
- 1. A flight of missiles, as arrows, bullets, or the like; the simultaneous discharge of a number of small arms. [1913 Webster]
- Fiery darts in flaming volleys flew. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- Each volley tells that thousands cease to breathe. --Byron. [1913 Webster]
- 2. A burst or emission of many things at once; as, a volley of words. "This volley of oaths." --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
- Rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (a) (Tennis) A return of the ball before it touches the ground. (b) (Cricket) A sending of the ball full to the top of the wicket. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
- Half volley. (a) (Tennis) A return of the ball immediately after is has touched the ground. (b) (Cricket) A sending of the ball so that after touching the ground it flies towards the top of the wicket. --R. A. Proctor.
- On the volley, at random. [Obs.] "What we spake on the volley begins work." --Massinger.
- Volley gun, a gun with several barrels for firing a number of shots simultaneously; a kind of mitrailleuse. [1913 Webster]