volle

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. [ 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 ]

[ 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 ]