Vol″ley (?), n.; pl.Volleys (#). [F. volée; 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.
Fiery darts in flaming volleys flew. Milton.
Each volley tells that thousands cease to breathe. Byron.
2. A burst or emission of many things at once; as, a volley of words. “This volley of oaths.” B. Jonson.
Rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks. Pope.
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.
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. “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.