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