Volley - Voluptuous

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Coloq. Half volley . (a) (Tennis) A return of the ball immediately after is has touched the ground. (b) (Cricket) A sending of the ball so that after touching the ground it flies towards the top of the wicket. R. A. Proctor. -- Coloq. On the volley , at random. [Obs.] “What we spake on the volley begins work.” Massinger. -- Coloq. Volley gun , a gun with several barrels for firing a number of shots simultaneously; a kind of mitrailleuse.
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Volley (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Volleyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Volleying.] To discharge with, or as with, a volley.
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Volley, v. i. 1. To be thrown out, or discharged, at once; to be discharged in a volley, or as if in a volley; to make a volley or volleys. Tennyson.
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2. (a) (Tennis) To return the ball before it touches the ground. (b) (Cricket) To send the ball full to the top of the wicket. R. A. Proctor.
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Volley ball. A game played by volleying a large inflated ball with the hands over a net 7 ft. 6 in. high.
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Volleyed (?), a. Discharged with a sudden burst, or as if in a volley; as, volleyed thunder.
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Volost (?), n. [Russ. volost'.] In the greater part of Russia, a division for local government consisting of a group of mirs, or village communities; a canton.
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Volow (?), v. t. [From the answer, Volo I will, in the baptismal service. Richardson (Dict.).] To baptize; -- used in contempt by the Reformers. [Obs.] Tyndale.
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Volplane (?), v. i. [F. vol plané act of volplaning; vol flight + plané, p.p.; cf. planer to hover.] (Aëronautics) To glide in a flying machine.
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Volt (?), n. [F. volte; cf. It. volta. See .]
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1. (Man.) A circular tread; a gait by which a horse going sideways round a center makes two concentric tracks.
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2. (Fencing) A sudden movement to avoid a thrust.
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Volt, n. [After Alessandro Volta, the Italian electrician.] (Elec.) The unit of electro-motive force; -- defined by the International Electrical Congress in 1893 and by United States Statute as, that electro-motive force which steadily applied to a conductor whose resistance is one ohm will produce a current of one ampère. It is practically equivalent to 1000/1434 the electro-motive force of a standard Clark's cell at a temperature of 15° C.
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Volta (?), n.; pl. Volte (#). [It. volta a turn, turning, a time. See a tread.] (Mus.) A turning; a time; -- chiefly used in phrases signifying that the part is to be repeated one, two, or more times; as, una volta, once. Seconda volta, second time, points to certain modifications in the close of a repeated strain.
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Volta-electric (?), a. Of or pertaining to voltaic electricity, or voltaism.
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Volta-electrometer (?), n. An instrument for the exact measurement of electric currents.
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Voltage (?), n. (Elec.) Electric potential or potential difference, expressed in volts.
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Voltagraphy (?), n. [Voltaic + -graphy.] In electrotypy, the act or art of copying, in metals deposited by electrolytic action, a form or pattern which is made the negative electrode. [R.]
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Voltaic (?), a. [Cf. F. voltaïque, It. voltaico.]
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1. Of or pertaining to Alessandro Volta, who first devised apparatus for developing electric currents by chemical action, and established this branch of electric science; discovered by Volta; as, voltaic electricity.
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2. Of or pertaining to voltaism, or voltaic electricity; as, voltaic induction; the voltaic arc.
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☞ See the Note under .
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Coloq. Voltaic arc , a luminous arc, of intense brilliancy, formed between carbon points as electrodes by the passage of a powerful voltaic current. -- Coloq. Voltaic battery , an apparatus variously constructed, consisting of a series of plates or pieces of dissimilar metals, as copper and zinc, arranged in pairs, and subjected to the action of a saline or acid solution, by which a current of electricity is generated whenever the two poles, or ends of the series, are connected by a conductor; a galvanic battery. See , 4. (b), and Note. -- Coloq. Voltaic circuit . See under . -- Coloq. Voltaic couple or Coloq. Voltaic element , a single pair of the connected plates of a battery. -- Coloq. Voltaic electricity . See the Note under . -- Coloq. Voltaic pile , a kind of voltaic battery consisting of alternate disks of dissimilar metals, separated by moistened cloth or paper. See 5th . -- Coloq. Voltaic protection of metals , the protection of a metal exposed to the corrosive action of sea water, saline or acid liquids, or the like, by associating it with a metal which is positive to it, as when iron is galvanized, or coated with zinc.
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Voltairean (?), a. [Cf. F. voltairien.] Of or relating to Voltaire, the French author. J. Morley.
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Voltairism (?), n. The theories or practice of Voltaire. J. Morley.
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Voltaism (?), n. [Cf. F. voltaïsme.] (Physics) That form of electricity which is developed by the chemical action between metals and different liquids; voltaic electricity; also, the science which treats of this form of electricity; -- called also galvanism, from Galvani, on account of his experiments showing the remarkable influence of this agent on animals.
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Voltameter (?), n. [Voltaic + -meter.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the voltaic electricity passing through it, by its effect in decomposing water or some other chemical compound acting as an electrolyte.
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Voltammeter (?), n. A wattmeter.
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Volt ampère. (Elec.) A unit of electric measurement equal to the product of a volt and an ampere. For direct current it is a measure of power and is the same as a watt; for alternating current it is a measure of apparent power.
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Voltaplast (?), n. [Voltaic + Gr. � molded.] A form of voltaic, or galvanic, battery suitable for use electrotyping. G. Francis.
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Voltatype (?), n. [Voltaic + type.] An electrotype. [R.]
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Volti (?), imperative. [It., fr. voltare to turn. See a tread.] (Mus.) Turn, that is, turn over the leaf.
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Coloq. Volti subito [It.] (Mus.), turn over quickly.
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Voltigeur (?), n. [F., fr. voltiger to vault, It. volteggiare. See a tread.] 1. A tumbler; a leaper or vaulter.
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2. (Mil.) One of a picked company of irregular riflemen in each regiment of the French infantry.
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Voltmeter (?), n. [2d volt + -meter.] (elec.) An instrument for measuring in volts the differences of potential between different points of an electrical circuit.
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Voltzite (?), n. [So named in honor of Voltz, a French engineer.] (Min.) An oxysulphide of lead occurring in implanted spherical globules of a yellowish or brownish color; -- called also voltzine.
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{ Volubilate (?), Volubile (?)}, a. [See .] Turning, or whirling; winding; twining; voluble.
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Volubility (?), n. [L. volubilitas: cf. F. volubilité.] The quality or state of being voluble (in any of the senses of the adjective).
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Voluble (?), a. [L. volubilis, fr. volvere, volutum, to roll, to turn round; akin to Gr. � to infold, to inwrap, � to roll, G. welle a wave: cf. F. voluble. Cf. F. of water, , , , , an arch, , .]
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1. Easily rolling or turning; easily set in motion; apt to roll; rotating; as, voluble particles of matter.
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2. Moving with ease and smoothness in uttering words; of rapid speech; nimble in speaking; glib; as, a flippant, voluble, tongue.
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[Cassio,] a knave very voluble. Shak.
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☞ Voluble was used formerly to indicate readiness of speech merely, without any derogatory suggestion. “A grave and voluble eloquence.” Bp. Hacket.
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3. Changeable; unstable; fickle. [Obs.]
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4. (Bot.) Having the power or habit of turning or twining; as, the voluble stem of hop plants.
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Coloq. Voluble stem (Bot.), a stem that climbs by winding, or twining, round another body.
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-- Volubleness, n. -- Volubly, adv.
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Volume (?), n. [F., from L. volumen a roll of writing, a book, volume, from volvere, volutum, to roll. See .] 1. A roll; a scroll; a written document rolled up for keeping or for use, after the manner of the ancients. [Obs.]
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The papyrus, and afterward the parchment, was joined together [by the ancients] to form one sheet, and then rolled upon a staff into a volume (volumen). Encyc. Brit.
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2. Hence, a collection of printed sheets bound together, whether containing a single work, or a part of a work, or more than one work; a book; a tome; especially, that part of an extended work which is bound up together in one cover; as, a work in four volumes.
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An odd volume of a set of books bears not the value of its proportion to the set. Franklin.
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4. Anything of a rounded or swelling form resembling a roll; a turn; a convolution; a coil.
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So glides some trodden serpent on the grass,
And long behind wounded volume trails. Dryden.
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Undulating billows rolling their silver volumes. W. Irving.
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4. Dimensions; compass; space occupied, as measured by cubic units, that is, cubic inches, feet, yards, etc.; mass; bulk; as, the volume of an elephant's body; a volume of gas.
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5. (Mus.) Amount, fullness, quantity, or caliber of voice or tone.
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Coloq. Atomic volume , Coloq. Molecular volume (Chem.), the ratio of the atomic and molecular weights divided respectively by the specific gravity of the substance in question. -- Coloq. Specific volume (Physics & Chem.), the quotient obtained by dividing unity by the specific gravity; the reciprocal of the specific gravity. It is equal (when the specific gravity is referred to water at 4° C. as a standard) to the number of cubic centimeters occupied by one gram of the substance.
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Volumed (?), a. 1. Having the form of a volume, or roil; as, volumed mist.
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The distant torrent's rushing sound
Tells where the volumed cataract doth roll. Byron.
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2. Having volume, or bulk; massive; great.
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Volumenometer (?), n. [L. volumen volume + -meter.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the volume of a body, especially a solid, by means of the difference in tension caused by its presence and absence in a confined portion of air.
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Volumenometry (?), n. (Chem. & Physics) The method or process of measuring volumes by means of the volumenometer.
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Volumescope (?), n. [Volume + -scope.] (Physics) An instrument consisting essentially of a glass tube provided with a graduated scale, for exhibiting to the eye the changes of volume of a gas or gaseous mixture resulting from chemical action, etc.
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Volumeter (?), n. [Cf. F. volumètre. See .] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the volumes of gases or liquids by introducing them into a vessel of known capacity.
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Volumetric (?), a. [Volume + -metric.] Of or pertaining to the measurement of volume.
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Coloq. Volumetric analysis (Chem.), that system of the quantitative analysis of solutions which employs definite volumes of standardized solutions of reagents, as measured by burettes, pipettes, etc.; also, the analysis of gases by volume, as by the eudiometer.
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Volumetrical (?), a. Volumetric. -- Volumetrically, adv.
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Voluminous (?), a. [L. voluminosus: cf. F. volumineux.] Of or pertaining to volume or volumes. Specifically: --
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(a) Consisting of many folds, coils, or convolutions.
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But ended foul in many a scaly fold,
Voluminous and vast. Milton.
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Over which dusky draperies are hanging, and voluminous curtains have long since fallen. De Quincey.
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(b) Of great volume, or bulk; large. B. Jonson.
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(c) Consisting of many volumes or books; as, the collections of Muratori are voluminous.
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(d) Having written much, or produced many volumes; copious; diffuse; as, a voluminous writer.
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-- Voluminously, adv. -- Voluminousness, n.
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Volumist (?), n. One who writes a volume; an author. [Obs.] Milton.
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Voluntarily (?), adv. In a voluntary manner; of one's own will; spontaneously.
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Voluntariness, n. The quality or state of being voluntary; spontaneousness; specifically, the quality or state of being free in the exercise of one's will.
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Voluntarism (?), n. 1. (Philosophy) Any theory which conceives will to be the dominant factor in experience or in the constitution of the world; -- contrasted with intellectualism. Schopenhauer and Fichte are typical exponents of the two types of metaphysical voluntarism, Schopenhauer teaching that the evolution of the universe is the activity of a blind and irrational will, Fichte holding that the intelligent activity of the ego is the fundamental fact of reality.
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2. the principle or practice of depending on volunteers to support institutions or perform some desired action.
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3. a political philosophy opposed to dependence on governmental action or support for social services that might be performed by private groups.
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Voluntary (?), a. [L. voluntarius, fr. voluntas will, choice, from the root of velle to will, p. pr. volens; akin to E. will: cf. F. volontaire, Of. also voluntaire. See , v. t., and cf. , , .] 1. Proceeding from the will; produced in or by an act of choice.
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That sin or guilt pertains exclusively to voluntary action is the true principle of orthodoxy. N. W. Taylor.
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2. Unconstrained by the interference of another; unimpelled by the influence of another; not prompted or persuaded by another; done of his or its own accord; spontaneous; acting of one's self, or of itself; free.
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Our voluntary service he requires. Milton.
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She fell to lust a voluntary prey. Pope.
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3. Done by design or intention; intentional; purposed; intended; not accidental; as, if a man kills another by lopping a tree, it is not voluntary manslaughter.
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4. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to the will; subject to, or regulated by, the will; as, the voluntary motions of an animal, such as the movements of the leg or arm (in distinction from involuntary motions, such as the movements of the heart); the voluntary muscle fibers, which are the agents in voluntary motion.
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5. Endowed with the power of willing; as, man is a voluntary agent.
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God did not work as a necessary, but a voluntary, agent, intending beforehand, and decreeing with himself, that which did outwardly proceed from him. Hooker.
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6. (Law) Free; without compulsion; according to the will, consent, or agreement, of a party; without consideration; gratuitous; without valuable consideration.
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7. (Eccl.) Of or pertaining to voluntaryism; as, a voluntary church, in distinction from an established or state church.
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Coloq. Voluntary affidavit or Coloq. Voluntary oath (Law), an affidavit or oath made in an extrajudicial matter. -- Coloq. Voluntary conveyance (Law), a conveyance without valuable consideration. -- Coloq. Voluntary escape (Law), the escape of a prisoner by the express consent of the sheriff. -- Coloq. Voluntary jurisdiction . (Eng. Eccl. Law) See Contentious jurisdiction, under . -- Coloq. Voluntary waste . (Law) See , n., 4.
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Syn. -- See .
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Voluntary, n.; pl. Voluntaries (�). 1. One who engages in any affair of his own free will; a volunteer. [R.] Shak.
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2. (Mus.) A piece played by a musician, often extemporarily, according to his fancy; specifically, an organ solo played before, during, or after divine service.
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3. (Eccl.) One who advocates voluntaryism.
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Voluntaryism (?), n. (Eccl.) The principle of supporting a religious system and its institutions by voluntary association and effort, rather than by the aid or patronage of the state.
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Volunteer (?), n. [F. volontaire. See , a.]
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1. One who enters into, or offers for, any service of his own free will.
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2. (Mil.) One who enters into service voluntarily, but who, when in service, is subject to discipline and regulations like other soldiers; -- opposed to conscript; specifically, a voluntary member of the organized militia of a country as distinguished from the standing army.
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3. (Law) A grantee in a voluntary conveyance; one to whom a conveyance is made without valuable consideration; a party, other than a wife or child of the grantor, to whom, or for whose benefit, a voluntary conveyance is made. Burrill.
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Volunteer, a. Of or pertaining to a volunteer or volunteers; consisting of volunteers; voluntary; as, volunteer companies; volunteer advice.
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Volunteer, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Volunteered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Volunteering.] To offer or bestow voluntarily, or without solicitation or compulsion; as, to volunteer one's services.
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Volunteer, v. i. To enter into, or offer for, any service of one's own free will, without solicitation or compulsion; as, he volunteered in that undertaking.
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Volunteer navy. A navy of vessels fitted out and manned by volunteers who sail under the flag of the regular navy and subject to naval discipline. Prussia in 1870, in the Franco-German war, organized such a navy, which was commanded by merchant seamen with temporary commissions, with the claim (in which England acquiesced) that it did not come within the meaning of the term privateer.
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Volunteers of America. A religious and philanthropic organization, similar to the Salvation Army, founded (1896) by Commander and Mrs. Ballington Booth.
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Volunteer State. Tennessee; -- a nickname.
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Volupere (?), n. [Cf. .] A woman's cap. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Voluptuary (?; 135), n.; pl. Voluptuaries (#). [L. voluptuarius or voluptarius, fr. voluptas pleasure.] A voluptuous person; one who makes his physical enjoyment his chief care; one addicted to luxury, and the gratification of sensual appetites.
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A good-humored, but hard-hearted, voluptuary. Sir W. Scott.
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Syn. -- Sensualist; epicure.
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Voluptuary, a. Voluptuous; luxurious.
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Voluptuous (?), a. [F. voluptueux, L. voluptuosus, fr. voluptas pleasure, volup agreeably, delightfully; probably akin to Gr. � to hope, � hope, and to L. velle to wish. See .] 1. Full of delight or pleasure, especially that of the senses; ministering to sensuous or sensual gratification; exciting sensual desires; luxurious; sensual.
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Music arose with its voluptuous swell. Byron.
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Sink back into your voluptuous repose. De Quincey.
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2. Given to the enjoyments of luxury and pleasure; indulging to excess in sensual gratifications. “The jolly and voluptuous livers.” Atterbury.
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Softened with pleasure and voluptuous life. Milton.
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-- Voluptuously, adv. -- Voluptuousness, n.
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