I. ˈfyüsəˌlād, -üzə-, -äd, -ȧd, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from fusiller to shoot (from fusil ) + -ade
1.
a. : a number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession especially with small arms : volley
a fusillade of buckshot — Horace Sutton
b. : firing squad
he was condemned to death … and died by the fusillade — W.O.Scroggs
2. : a spirited outburst of any sort
a fusillade of marimba music — Maud Oakes
specifically : a barrage of criticism
never … has a new head of government come under such a fusillade from his own party — Atlantic
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to attack or shoot down by simultaneous or rapidly successive gunfire