Chance"-med`ley (?), n. [Chance + medley.]
1. Law
The kiling of another in self-defense upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter. See Chaud-Medley.
⇒ The term has been sometimes applied to any kind of homicide by misadventure, or to any accidental killing of a person without premeditation or evil intent, but, in strictness, is applicable to such killing as happens in defending one's self against assault.
Bouvier.
2.
Luck; chance; accident.
Milton. Cowper.
© Webster 1913.