vol·ley (v l  )n. pl. vol·leys 1. a. A simultaneous discharge of a number of missiles. b. The missiles thus discharged. 2. A bursting forth of many things together: a volley of oaths. 3. Sports a. The flight of a ball before it touches the ground: kicked the soccer ball on the volley. b. A shot, especially in tennis, made by striking the ball before it touches the ground. v. vol·leyed, vol·ley·ing, vol·leys v.tr. 1. To discharge in or as if in a volley: volley musket shots at the attackers. 2. Sports To strike (a tennis ball, for example) before it touches the ground. v.intr. 1. To be discharged in or as if in a volley. 2. Sports To make a volley, especially in tennis. 3. To move rapidly, forcefully, or loudly like missiles: The hailstones volleyed down. Charges and countercharges volleyed through the courtroom. [French volée, from Old French, from voler, to fly, from Latin vol  re.]vol ley·er n. |
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