CHANCE-MEDLEY

Dictionary of Science, Literature and Art · 1842 · p. 8

(A corruption of the French chaude meJde.) In Law, signified originally a casual affray or riot, accompanied with violence, but without deliberation or preconceived malice; but is applied at present to a particular kind of homicide, — viz. the killing of another In self defence in a sudden encounter, without malice prepense. [s. 226]