Chance-medley [fr. Chaude meslee, Fr.; fr. Chaud, hot and mislee, fray, mesler, meler, to mingle, mescolare, It. When the element chaud lost its meaning to ordinary English ears, it ws replaced by chance in accordance with the meaning of the compound, Wedgw.], a casual affray. Such killing of a person as happens either in self-defence on a sudden quarrel, or in the commission of an unlawful act without any deliberate intention of doing any mischief, 1 Hawk. P. C. c. xxx., s. 1. It is sometimes termed chaud-medley, which more properly signifies an affray in the heat of blod or passion.
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