%melee%

‖n. [ F., fr. mêler to mix. See Meddle, Mell, and cf. Mellay. ] 1. A fight in which the combatants are mingled in one confused mass; a hand to hand conflict; an affray. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A cavalry exercise in which two groups of riders try to cut paper plumes off the helmets of their opponents, the contest continuing until no member of one group retains his plume; -- sometimes called Balaklava mêlée. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]