A swimming event which combines the four swimming styles: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. A medley swimmer swims ¼ of the race in each style.

Med"ley (?), n.; pl. Medleys (#). [OE. medlee, OF. mesl'ee, medl'ee, mell'ee, F. mel'ee. See Meddle, and cf. Melee, Mellay.]

1.

A mixture; a mingled and confused mass of ingredients, usually inharmonious; a jumble; a hodgepodge; -- often used contemptuously.

This medley of philosophy and war. Addison.

Love is a medley of endearments, jars, Suspicions, reconcilements, wars. W. Walsh.

2.

The confusion of a hand to hand battle; a brisk, hand to hand engagement; a mel'ee.

[Obs.]

Holland.

3. Mus.

A composition of passages detached from several different compositions; a potpourri.

Medley is usually applied to vocal, potpourri to instrumental, compositions.

4.

A cloth of mixed colors.

Fuller.

 

© Webster 1913.


Med"ley, a.

1.

Mixed; of mixed material or color.

[Obs.] "A medle coat."

Chaucer.

2.

Mingled; confused.

Dryden.

 

© Webster 1913.

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