noun pl. volleys -·leys

1. 1. the simultaneous discharge of a number of firearms or other weapons
   2. the bullets, arrows, etc. discharged in this way
2. a burst of words or acts suggestive of this a volley of curses, questions, etc.
3. Sports
   1. the act of returning the ball, shuttlecock, etc. in certain games before it touches the ground
   2. the flight of the ball, etc. before it touches the ground
   3. loosely any extended exchange of shots, as in tennis or volleyball, esp. such an exchange in warming up for a game

Etymology: MFr volee < VL *volata < fem. of L volatus, pp. of volare, to fly

transitive verb volleyed -·leyed, volleying -·ley·ing

1. to discharge in or as in a volley
2. Sports to return (the ball, etc.) as a volley

intransitive verb

1. to be discharged in or as in a volley
2. Sports
   1. to return the ball, etc. as a volley
   2. loosely to engage in a volley