Dictionary-Definition.com :: Volley definition

Definition of 'volley'

noun

Rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms; "our fusillade from the left flank caught them by surprise" [syn: fusillade, salvo, volley, burst]

noun

A tennis return made by hitting the ball before it bounces [ant: ground stroke]

verb

Be dispersed in a volley; "gun shots volleyed at the attackers"

verb

Hit before it touches the ground; "volley the tennis ball"

verb

Discharge in, or as if in, a volley; "the attackers volleyed gunshots at the civilians"

verb

Make a volley

verb

Utter rapidly; "volley a string of curses"

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]

From: GCIDE

Volley \Vol"ley\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Volleyed; p. pr. & vb. n. Volleying.] To discharge with, or as with, a volley. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Volley \Vol"ley\, v. i.
1. To be thrown out, or discharged, at once; to be discharged in a volley, or as if in a volley; to make a volley or volleys. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
2. (a) (Tennis) To return the ball before it touches the ground. (b) (Cricket) To send the ball full to the top of the wicket. --R. A. Proctor. [1913 Webster]