Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Chance-medley

Chance-medley , noun

[Chance + medley.]

1.
(Law) The killing 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.

2.
Luck; chance; accident. — Milton