from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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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