\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.
         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.'' --B. Jonson.
         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.

\Vol"ley\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Volleyed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Volleying}.]
To discharge with, or as with, a volley.

\Vol"ley\, 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. --Tennyson.
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.
             --R. A. Proctor.