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volley

Pronunciation: /ˈvɒli/
Translate volley | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of volley

noun (plural volleys)

  • 1a number of bullets, arrows, or other projectiles discharged at one time:the infantry let off a couple of volleys
  • a series of utterances directed at someone in quick succession:he unleashed a volley of angry questions
  • 2(in sport, especially tennis or soccer) a strike or kick of the ball made before it touches the ground: a forehand volley

verb (volleys, volleying, volleyed)

[with object]
  • 1(in sport, especially tennis or soccer) strike or kick (the ball) before it touches the ground:she volleyed the ball home [no object]:he took his chance well, volleying into the top corner from 25 yards
  • 2utter or discharge in quick succession:the dog was volleying joyful barks

Derivatives

volleyer

noun

Origin:

late 16th century: from French volée, based on Latin volare 'to fly'

volley in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of volley in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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