The Collaborative International Dictionary
Chance-medley \Chance"-med`ley\, n. [Chance + medley.]
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(Law) The killing of another in self-defense upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter. See Chaud-Medley.
Note: 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. Luck; chance; accident.
--Milton.
--Cowper.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context legal historical English) The killing of another in self-defence upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter. 2 (context obsolete English) luck; chance; accident
WordNet
n. unpremeditated killing of a human being in self defense
Usage examples of "chance-medley".
While this was transacting upon the quarter-deck, a chance-medley fight was going on throughout the ship.