chance-medley

[ chans-med-lee, chahns- ]

noun

, Law.

1. a killing occurring during a sudden and unpredicted encounter.
2. aimless and random action.

chance-medley

noun

1. law a sudden quarrel in which one party kills another; unintentional but not blameless killing

Word History and Origins

Origin of chance-medley¹

First recorded in 1485–95, chance-medley is from Anglo-French chance medlee

Word History and Origins

Origin of chance-medley¹

C15: from Anglo-French chance medlee mixed chance

Example Sentences

The chance medley for which they had pined was come, and that without their seeking.

From Project Gutenberg

No plea was set up that the action was unpremeditated, and the event chance-medley.

From Project Gutenberg

The al fresco clubs also crowd the Boulevards, in the chance medley confusion of all men and all principles.

From Project Gutenberg

I have not time or paper, else I could draw an inference, not very illustrative of your chance-medley system.

From Project Gutenberg

At length, each individual singling out his foe, the contest assumed the confused appearance of a chance medley.

From Project Gutenberg