Hypertext Webster Gateway: "melee"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Mel'ee \M[^e]`l['e]e"\, n.
A cavalry exercise in which two groups of riders try to cut
paper plumes off the helmets of their opponents, the contest
continuing until no member of one group retains his plume; --
sometimes called {Balaklava m[^e]l['e]e}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Mel'ee \M[^e]`l['e]e"\ (m[asl]`l[asl]"), n. [F., fr. m[^e]ler to
mix. See {Meddle}, {Mell}, and cf. {Mellay}.]
A fight in which the combatants are mingled in one confused
mass; a hand to hand conflict; an affray.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
melee
n : a noisy riotous fight [syn: {scrimmage}, {battle royal}]
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