Volley Meaning
/ˈvɒli/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe simultaneous firing of a number of missiles or bullets; the projectiles so fired.
nounA burst or emission of many things at once.
Sentence Examples
The enemy fired a volley of shots at us.
A volley of artillery fire completely destroyed the buildings.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
During the intense tennis match, the player returned the serve with a fast ____ that won the point.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The tennis player hit a powerful ____ to win the final point of the long and very difficult match today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French volée (“flight”), from Vulgar Latin volta, from Late Latin volatus.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Fiery darts in flaming volies flew."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book VI”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Each volley tells that thousands cease to breathe."
— 1812, Lord Byron, “Canto I”, in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. A Romaunt, London: […] [F]or John Murray, […]; William Blackwood, Edinburgh; and John Cumming, Dublin; by Thomas Davison, […], →OCLC, stanza XXXVIII:
"It was by his order the shattered leading company flung itself into the houses when the Sin Verguenza were met by an enfilading volley as they reeled into the calle."
— 1907 January, Harold Bindloss, chapter 30, in The Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen, →OCLC:
"When we do speak at volley"
— 1625 (first performance), Ben[jamin] Jonson, The Staple of Newes. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot […], published 1631, →OCLC, (please specify the page), (please specify the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
"A whole volley of furious criticism was poured on the author [Alexander Pope] by those enemies whom his contempt had created, and his honest pride had justly disdained to propitiate."
— 1835, G[eorge] Croly, “Memoir of Pope”, in Alexander Pope, The Works of Alexander Pope; […], volume I, London: A[braham] J[ohn] Valpy, […], →OCLC, page 56:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
During the intense tennis match, the player returned the serve with a fast ____ that won the point.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The tennis player hit a powerful ____ to win the final point of the long and very difficult match today.