volley

Where does the word "volley" come from? It comes from Latin volare, passing through Old French before entering English (1570s-1851).

Volley’s story begins in Latin: volare meant “to fly.” The plain verb of flying. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Old French as volee. A noun formed from the past participle of voler, describing flight. It reached English by 1570s-1851 as volley. Entered for the simultaneous discharge of many guns, later extended in sports to striking a ball while it is still airborne. Today, volley means a rapid succession of shots, or striking a ball before it touches the ground.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient volare "to fly", the plain verb of flying.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · 1100s volee "flight", a noun formed from the past participle of voler, describing flight.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1570s-1851 volley "a simultaneous discharge; a shot struck in flight", entered for the simultaneous discharge of many guns, later extended in sports to striking a ball while it is still airborne.