Chănçe'-mĕd'ley, n.

n. [See CHANCE and MEDLEY.] (Law.) The killing of another in self-defense upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter.

☞ 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 only as happens in defending one's self against assault. Bouvier.