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melee
1or mê·lée
[ mey-ley, mey-ley, mel-ey ]
/ ˈmeɪ leɪ, meɪˈleɪ, ˈmɛl eɪ /
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noun
a confused hand-to-hand fight or struggle among several people.
confusion; turmoil; jumble: the melee of Christmas shopping.
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Origin of melee
1From the French word mêlée, dating back to 1640–50. See medley
Words nearby melee
meld, melder, Meldrew, Meleager, Meleagrides, melee, melena, Meleney's gangrene, M.El.Eng., Melete, meletin
Other definitions for melee (2 of 2)
melee2
[ mey-ley, mey-ley ]
/ ˈmeɪ leɪ, meɪˈleɪ /
noun
a group of diamonds, each weighing less than 0.25 carat.
Origin of melee
2First recorded in 1910–15; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use melee in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for melee
melee
mle
/ (ˈmɛleɪ) /
noun
a noisy riotous fight or brawl
Word Origin for melee
C17: from French mêlée. See medley
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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