On the volley

On the volley
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. [1913 Webster]

Fiery darts in flaming volleys flew. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Each volley tells that thousands cease to breathe. --Byron. [1913 Webster]

2. A burst or emission of many things at once; as, a volley of words. ``This volley of oaths.'' --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]

Rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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