Melee

Pronunciation

• IPA: /mɛˈleɪ/

Alternative forms

• mêlée
• melée

Origin

Borrowed from French mêlée, from Old French meslee, feminine past participle of mesler ("to mix"), derived from Latin misceō ("mix").

Full definition of melee

Noun

1. Hand-to-hand combat; mano a mano.
2. A naval or armor battle at an abnormally close range, extending even to disorganized crowds of people or traffic jams, using no ammunition.
3. A noisy or heated fight, argument or scrap
• 2012, April 15, Phil McNulty , Tottenham 1-5 Chelsea, The ball did not appear to cross the line, a view supported by television replays as Blues captain John Terry also joined the melee, but referee Atkinson awarded the goal - to the obvious anger of Spurs and their management team.

Verb

1. (video games, slang) to physically hit, as opposed to shooting or blowing up.