Volleys

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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.
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              Fiery darts in flaming volleys flew.  --Milton.
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              Each volley tells that thousands cease to breathe.
                                                    --Byron.
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     2. A burst or emission of many things at once; as, a volley
        of words. "This volley of oaths." --B. Jonson.
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              Rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks. --Pope.
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     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.
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     {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.
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