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volley

volley

11 6.8
A sudden series of shots fired quickly, for example from guns
  • noun
  • /ˈvɑːli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : andanada
  • Think of what damage a volley of arrows could do, or one of those stone-throwing arms.
  • a volley of fire

So when those cosmic ray volleys come in, they can't pass through the core.

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Examples

  • Volleys of arrows pierce the air.

  • This round of tariffs was the first volley in the US China trade war.

  • A second volley was fired.

  • After that first volley, the rebels had it all their own way.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Fire three volleys in the air.

  • Private Beaulieu was hit in the first volley of fire and knocked away from his machine gun.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The reports come at once, five or six volleys, a rampage of sound.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Fireworks and cannon volleys proclaim victory.

  • The bowmen fired volleys of arrows at the beast when it showed itself above the gunwale.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • As the battle began, the soldiers unleashed a rapid volley of gunfire towards the enemy.

Synonyms

burst
vsvolley
22 5.6

A quick group of shots fired together

describes a series that is longer or repeated rather than one quick shot
barrage
vsvolley
  • Specialized
14 7.6

A heavy continuous attack by large guns across an area

is more about targeted or grouped shots rather than broad saturation
salvo
vsvolley
8 8.6

A sudden group of gun or cannon shots fired together

is used more for shots specifically from firearms
fusillade
vsvolley
  • Literature
3 9.5

A quick series of gunshots or attacks that happen at once

focuses on short, discrete groups rather than sustained streams
concentrated fire
vsvolley
  • Jargon
7.1

Fire from several weapons aimed together at one target

can come from a single source and need not be multiple weapons
massed fire
vsvolley
  • Specialized
8.8

Many weapons fire together at one target

describes shots themselves without implying formal coordination
drumfire
vsvolley
  • Specialized
9.9

A long, very loud attack by many heavy guns firing rapidly

tends to mean a short, grouped discharge rather than long bombardment
barrage fire
vsvolley
  • Specialized
9.3

A long heavy stream of shots from large guns across a wide area to hit many places

focuses on short simultaneous shots aimed at a target rather than broad saturation

Compounds

A tennis shot played just after the ball bounces

How Intense

barrage
  • Specialized
14 7.6
to fusillade
  • Literature
9.9
volley
  • Specialized
11 6.8
salvo
8 8.6

Surface Forms

volley singular
volleys plural

Etymology

The word volley comes from the old French volée and Latin volare, meaning 'to fly', and was once used for a flight of arrows or missiles. Imagine many arrows 'flying' together at once; that's why a volley is a sudden group of shots fired together.