Word Study
chance-medley
CIDE DICTIONARY
chance-medley, n. [Chance + medley.].
- The killing of another in self-defense upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter. See Chaud-Medley. [1913 Webster]" The term has been sometimes applied to any kind of homicide by misadventure, or to any accidental killing of a person without premeditation or evil intent, but, in strictness, is applicable to such killing as happens in defending one's self against assault." Bouvier. [1913 Webster]
- Luck; chance; accident. Milton.
Cowper. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
chance-medley, n. (pl. -eys)
1 Law a fight, esp. homicidal, beginning unintentionally.
2 inadvertency.
1 Law a fight, esp. homicidal, beginning unintentionally.
2 inadvertency.
Etymology
AF chance medlee (see MEDDLE) mixed chance
For further exploring for "chance-medley" in Webster Dictionary Online