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melee

noun

/ˈmɛleɪ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of melee

A chaotic or confused fight or brawl involving a large number of people or things.
"The protesters were caught in a melee when the demonstration turned violent."

Detailed meaning of melee

It can also refer to a confused or disorganized situation in which many different factors or elements are in conflict. Melee is often used to describe a situation that is chaotic, violent, or out of control, and can be dangerous for those involved. The term melee has its roots in medieval warfare, where it was used to describe a close-quarters battle in which individual combatants fought hand-to-hand. In modern times, melee is often used to describe violent or chaotic events, such as a bar fight, a riot, or a sports event that descends into violence. Overall, melee is a term used to describe a situation of confusion, disorder, and physical conflict involving many people or things.

Example sentences containing melee

1. The soccer match turned into a chaotic melee as players clashed on the field.
2. The bar fight quickly escalated into a wild melee, with bottles flying and chairs breaking.
3. The melee of voices in the crowded marketplace made it difficult to navigate through the stalls.
4. The political debate devolved into a heated melee of shouting and insults.
5. The battle on the battlefield erupted into a fierce melee, with swords clashing and warriors fighting.
6. The melee of traffic during rush hour made the commute unbearable.

History and etymology of melee

The noun 'melee' has a fascinating etymology rooted in medieval warfare and combat. It comes from the Old French word 'meslee,' which means 'a confused battle' or 'mixture.' The term 'meslee' is derived from the Old French verb 'mesler,' which means 'to mix' or 'to mingle.' In the context of combat, it originally referred to a chaotic and confused fight involving a large number of people or things. The term emphasizes the jumbled and tumultuous nature of such skirmishes, where combatants and elements become intertwined, making it challenging to discern individual actions or outcomes. Over time, 'melee' has come to describe not only physical battles but also any situation characterized by disorder, confusion, or a tumultuous mixture of elements. Thus, the etymology of 'melee' vividly captures its historical association with chaotic and confused confrontations involving numerous participants or factors.

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Further usage examples of melee

1. The melee at the concert caused panic among the crowd, leading to a stampede.
2. The street protest erupted into a violent melee, with protesters and police clashing.
3. The melee of emotions overwhelmed her as she received the surprising news.
4. The police had to intervene to break up the melee.
5. The melee at the sporting event resulted in several injuries.
6. He found himself in the middle of the melee, trying to protect himself from the flying fists.
7. The melee erupted when the opposing team's fans started to throw bottles on the field.
8. The melee was sparked by a disputed call made by the referee.
9. The store's management was criticized for failing to prevent the melee.
10. The melee was sparked by a rumor that the store was running out of a popular item.
11. The melee resulted in multiple arrests and several injuries
12. He was injured in the melee during the concert
13. The melee was sparked by the rival fan groups
14. The melee resulted in the destruction of property and several injuries.
15. In the crowded stadium, a melee erupted as fans celebrated their team's victory.
16. The marketplace turned into a melee as shoppers rushed for Black Friday deals.
17. Amid the chaos of the protest, a melee broke out between demonstrators and police.
18. The battle scene was a chaotic melee of clashing swords and shouting soldiers.
19. At the music festival, the mosh pit devolved into a wild melee of bodies.
20. The courtroom became a melee of lawyers arguing over evidence.
21. During the food fight, the cafeteria turned into a messy melee.
22. The political rally escalated into a melee when opposing groups clashed.
23. In the carnival's bumper car ride, a colorful melee of cars collided joyfully.
24. The firefight at the border created a tense and dangerous melee.
25. The kids' birthday party turned into a sugary melee with cake and frosting everywhere.
26. As the wild animals escaped the zoo enclosure, it became a frightening melee.
27. The street dance competition turned into an energetic melee of dancers showcasing their skills.