What does "chance-medley" mean?
The killing of another in self-defence upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter.
Chance-medley
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The killing of another in self-defence upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter.
- Grammar: chance-medley is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: hap, haphazard, luck, random.
- Usage evidence: Manſlaughter, otherwiſe called Chancemedley, is when two do fight together upon the ſudden, and by meer Chance, without any Malice precedent, and one of them doth kill the other; this alſo is Felony of Death.
How to use "chance-medley"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "chance-medley" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "chance-medley" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "chance-medley" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "hap" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The killing of another in self-defence upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter. countable, historical, uncountable
"Manſlaughter, otherwiſe called Chancemedley, is when two do fight together upon the ſudden, and by meer Chance, without any Malice precedent, and one of them doth kill the other; this alſo is Felony of Death."
- 2 an unpremeditated killing of a human being in self defense wordnet
- 3 Luck; chance; accident. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"This is true in the general right of marriage, but not in the chance-medley of every particular match."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Manſlaughter, otherwiſe called Chancemedley, is when two do fight together upon the ſudden, and by meer Chance, without any Malice precedent, and one of them doth kill the other; this alſo is Felony of Death."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "chance-medley"?
Common synonyms include: hap, haphazard, luck, random.
How do you use "chance-medley" in a sentence?
Manſlaughter, otherwiſe called Chancemedley, is when two do fight together upon the ſudden, and by meer Chance, without any Malice precedent, and one of them doth kill the other; this alſo is Felony of Death.
Etymology
From Old French chance medlée, literally "mingled chance", with postpositive adjective (often confused because of the fact that medley is also a noun).