medley : Idioms & Phrases

Index

chance-medley

  • noun an unpremeditated killing of a human being in self defense
WordNet
Chance"-med`ley noun
Etymology
Chance + medley.
Definitions
  1. (Law) The kiling of another in self-defense upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter. See Chaud-Medley. ✍ 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.
  2. Luck; chance; accident. Milton. Cowper.
Webster 1913

chaud-medley

Chaud"-med`ley noun
Etymology
F. chaude mêlée; chaud hot + mêler (Formerly sometimes spelt medler) to mingle.
Definitions
  1. (Law) The killing of a person in an affray, in the heat of blood, and while under the influence of passion, thus distinguished from chance-medley or killing in self-defense, or in a casual affray. Burrill.
Webster 1913