melee
UK: ˈmeleɪ | US: ˈmeɪleɪ
n. a confused fight, skirmish, or scuffle
n. a chaotic or tumultuous situation
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The word melee originates from the Old French meslee (modern mêlée), meaning "a mixing" or "confused fight." It derives from the verb mesler (to mix), which traces back to the Latin miscere (to mix). The term entered English in the 17th century, retaining its sense of disorderly combat or chaos. The spelling melee reflects its French borrowing, though the original mêlée is also used in English.
The protest escalated into a violent melee between demonstrators and police.
Players rushed into a melee after the controversial goal.
The barroom melee left several people injured.
The debate turned into a verbal melee with everyone shouting at once.
The film’s climax features an epic melee involving dozens of warriors.