volley

[ vol-ee ]

noun

, plural vol·leys.

1. the simultaneous discharge of a number of missiles or firearms.
2. the missiles so discharged.
3. a burst or outpouring of many things at once or in quick succession:

   a volley of protests.

4. Tennis.
   1. the flight of the ball before it hits the ground.
   2. the return of the ball before it hits the ground.
5. Soccer. a kick of the ball before it bounces on the ground.
6. Cricket. a ball so bowled that it hits the wicket before it touches the ground.
7. Mining. the explosion of several charges at one time.

verb (used with object)

, vol·leyed, vol·ley·ing.

1. to discharge in or as in a volley.
2. Tennis. to return (the ball) before it hits the ground.
3. Soccer. to kick (the ball) before it bounces on the ground.
4. Cricket. to bowl (a ball) in such a manner that it is pitched near the top of the wicket.

verb (used without object)

, vol·leyed, vol·ley·ing.

1. to fly or be discharged together, as missiles.
2. to move or proceed with great rapidity, as in a volley.
3. to fire a volley; sound together, as firearms.
4. Tennis, Soccer. to return the ball before it touches the ground.

volley

/ ˈvɒlɪ /

noun

1. the simultaneous discharge of several weapons, esp firearms
2. the projectiles or missiles so discharged
3. a burst of oaths, protests, etc, occurring simultaneously or in rapid succession
4. sport a stroke, shot, or kick at a moving ball before it hits the ground Compare half volley
5. cricket the flight of such a ball or the ball itself
6. the simultaneous explosion of several blastings of rock

verb

1. to discharge (weapons, etc) in or as if in a volley or (of weapons, etc) to be discharged
2. tr to utter vehemently or sound loudly and continuously
3. tr sport to strike or kick (a moving ball) before it hits the ground
4. intr to issue or move rapidly or indiscriminately

Derived Forms

• ˈvolleyer, noun

Other Words From

• volley·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of volley¹

1565–75; < Middle French volee flight, noun use of feminine past participle of voler to fly < Latin volāre

Word History and Origins

Origin of volley¹

C16: from French volée a flight, from voler to fly, from Latin volāre

Example Sentences

From that point Boulter showed tremendous fight to claw back the deficit, but the 28-year-old was then mortified to put a volley into the net at 30-30 in the ninth game.

From BBC

He and Mateljan are back on the courts at Redondo Union three days later, doing a post mortem of his performance in Vegas: his low volleys, his training regimen, his ability to read the ball.

From Los Angeles Times

His goal against Sparta Prague on Wednesday was as he was facing the wrong direction, but somehow managed to twist and produce enough power with his backheel volley to score.

From BBC

Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence Agency said the site in Nuseirat camp was struck by a volley of artillery on Sunday, killing entire families and wounding dozens more.

From BBC

She opened fire in three volleys of two shots, with the final two rounds striking Hernandez as he rolled on the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• burst
• crossfire
• firing
• gunfire
• salvo