Definition of chance-medley in English:
chance-medley
noun tʃɑːnsˈmɛdliˈtʃænsˌmɛdli
mass nounLaw rare The accidental killing of a person in a fight.
Example sentencesExamples
- He, who commits chance-medley, shall fly his country for a year, till satisfaction be made to the dead person's kindred.
- In 1828, the concept of chance medley was eventually abolished.
- In his case, on appeal, the Chief Justice for the first time ruled that the defence of chance medley that downsized murder to manslaughter could not be pleaded under British law.
- The murder of the constable was, if not properly accidental, at least rather in the nature of chance medley.
- You say that James Annesley is Not Guilty of the felony and murder whereof he stands indicted, but is Guilty of chance-medley.
Origin
Late 15th century: from Anglo-Norman French chance medlee, literally 'mixed chance', from chance 'luck' + medlee, feminine past participle of medler 'to mix' (based on Latin miscere).
Definition of chance-medley in US English:
chance-medley
nounˈCHansˌmedlēˈtʃænsˌmɛdli
Law rare The killing of a person accidentally in self-defense in a fight.
Example sentencesExamples
- In his case, on appeal, the Chief Justice for the first time ruled that the defence of chance medley that downsized murder to manslaughter could not be pleaded under British law.
- You say that James Annesley is Not Guilty of the felony and murder whereof he stands indicted, but is Guilty of chance-medley.
- He, who commits chance-medley, shall fly his country for a year, till satisfaction be made to the dead person's kindred.
- In 1828, the concept of chance medley was eventually abolished.
- The murder of the constable was, if not properly accidental, at least rather in the nature of chance medley.
Origin
Late 15th century: from Anglo-Norman French chance medlee, literally ‘mixed chance’, from chance ‘luck’ + medlee, feminine past participle of medler ‘to mix’ (based on Latin miscere).