Volley

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈvɒli/

Definitions

1. A simultaneous discharge of multiple projectiles or a sequence of actions performed quickly in succession can be observed in various contexts
2. The act of striking a ball while it is in mid-air, often seen in sports, demonstrates precision and timing
3. In military terms, a rapid and coordinated firing of weapons may be referred to as a concerted effort by troops

Etymology: The core of "volley" is flight. It comes from Middle French "volée," meaning "flight," which in turn descends from Vulgar Latin "volta," a turn or a flight. Its ultimate source is Late Latin "volatus," the past participle of "volare," to fly. So the word that now describes a barrage of arrows or bullets, or a rapid exchange of shots or strokes, began as a description of something in the air taking wing. The shift from flight to projectiles is a natural one. A flock of birds rising together, or a cluster of missiles sent through the air at once, both move as a single airborne body, and the sense of many things flying in one motion carried over. The same logic explains the sporting uses, where a volley is a ball struck before it touches the ground, meaning it is hit while still in flight. The idea of rapid, repeated action grew from the picture of a shower of missiles released in succession.

Synonyms: barrage, salvo, burst, shower

Antonyms: ceasefire, pause