melee (mala)

[F., E. medley and melley, q. v.] A confused conflict, as a hand-to-hand fight among a number of persons; especially, in modern books, a tourney in which many combatants (not two only) take part. "I shall tilt to-morrow," answered Athelstane, "in the melée ; it is not worth while for me to arm myself to-day." Scott , Ivanhoe, iii. [ corn in the mill, one time. [Scotch.] That ilka melder wi' the miller Thou sat as lang as thou had siller. Burns , Tam o' Shanter. [Irreg.