Fusillation

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A sustained burst of rifle or gunfire, often aimed at a single target or area all at once
2. The act of firing a rapid volley of shots, typically from many guns at the same time
3. Continuous shooting in which many weapons discharge in quick succession toward an enemy position

Etymology: Fusillation is a rare noun for a volley or barrage of gunfire, and it is built on the French verb "fusiller," meaning "to shoot." That verb comes from "fusil," a word for a flintlock musket. The gun's name points back to a tool: "fusil" descends from the Italian "focile," a fire-steel, the metal striker struck against flint to make sparks. Behind that lies the Latin "focus," meaning hearth or fireplace. The noun "fusillade" carried the same idea into English, first as a volley of musket fire and later as any rapid, sustained barrage, whether of bullets, questions or criticism. "Fusillation" follows the same path with the English suffix "-ation," which forms action nouns from verbs. It is a less common variant, and its exact first recorded use is uncertain.