Sc. Law. [a. OF. chaude mellee (in med.L. calida melleia) ‘heated affray or broil’: see MÉLÉE. (By Selden and others erroneously identified with chance medley, from the partial coincidence of sense and form.)]
A sudden broil or affray arising from the heat of passion; hence, the wounding or killing of a man in such an affray, without premeditation.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VI. xix. 23. Gyve ony be suddane chawdmellè Hapnyd swa slayne to be Be ony of the Thaynys kyne.
1597. Skene, De Verb. Signif., Chaud-Melle, in Latine Rixa; ane hoat suddine tuilzie, or debaite, quhilk is opponed as contrair to fore-thoucht-fellonie. Ibid., Melletum, Medletum, Chaud-mella is ane fault or trespasse, quhilk is committed be ane hoate suddainty, & not of set purpose, or præcogitata malitia.
1672. Selden, Notes on Hengham, in Fortescue, 123. Our Chaunce medley corrupted from ‘Chaud melle.’
1752. Scots Mag. (1753), May, 231/2. The murder is not said to have been committed from sudden passion, or chaud mella.
1769. Blackstone, Comm., IV. 184. Chance-medley, or (as some rather chuse to write it) chaud-medley; the former of which … signifies a casual affray, the latter an affray in the heat of blood or passion.
1860. C. Innes, Scotl. in Mid. Ages, vi. 198.
