VOLLEY • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Volley

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/vˈɑli/ Listen

noun

Volley n. (pl. volleys)

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." "Each volley tells that thousands cease to breathe."

2.

A burst or emission of many things at once; as, a volley of words. "This volley of oaths." "Rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks."

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.

On the volley, at random. (Obs.) "What we spake on the volley begins work."

Volley gun, a gun with several barrels for firing a number of shots simultaneously; a kind of mitrailleuse.

verb

Volley v. t. (past & past part. volleyed; pres. part. volleying) To discharge with, or as with, a volley.

Volley 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.

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.

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Etymology of 'Volley'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Volley" Quotes from Famous Books

... very nearly as ancient as spherical shot. They can be traced back to the early part of the 15th century, and they have practically retained their original form up to the present date. They are intended for use at close quarters when a volley of small shot is required. With field guns they are not of much use at ranges exceeding about four hundred yards; those for heavy guns are effective up to one thousand yards. In the earlier forms lead or iron shot were packed in wood casks or in canvas bags ...

— Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia

... was engaged with Wildred had degenerated into a species of wrestling match. I had him down on one knee at last, and bending his arms behind him while he poured forth a volley of deadly oaths—his strange, light eyes flashing into mine—I attempted to tie his hands together with my silk handkerchief, wound into a slip-knot I had learned ...

— The House by the Lock • C. N. Williamson

... a parting volley of blasphemy; her husband, casting, as he went, a wistful look at Miss Mackenzie, shambled fecklessly after the partner of his joys and sorrows; and the child remained alone behind. The policeman took her by an arm and drew her forward to make room for a fresh consignment of ...

— Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. XXVI., December, 1880. • Various

... aimed at, received orders to fire at him, which he did, and killed him. By this time, the impetuosity of the Indians was somewhat repressed; they fell back in a body, and seemed staggered; but being pushed on by those behind, they returned to the charge, and poured a volley of stones among the marines, who, without waiting for orders, returned it with a general discharge of musquetry, which was instantly followed by a fire from the boats. At this Captain Cook was heard to express his ...

— A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 16 • Robert Kerr

... Leblanc and the Kaffirs not to shoot till I did, for I knew that they were poor marksmen and that much depended upon our first volley being effective. Then as the captain of this attack came within thirty yards of the stoep—for now the light, growing swiftly, was strong enough to enable me to distinguish him by his apparel and the rifle which he held—I loosed at him with the "roer" and shot him dead. Indeed the heavy bullet ...

— Marie - An Episode in The Life of the late Allan Quatermain • H. Rider Haggard

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