Vol·ley 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. --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.”
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. [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.
half volley
n : a tennis return made by hitting the ball immediately after
it bounces