chance-medley

n. [ Chance + medley. ] 1. (Law) The killing of another in self-defense upon a sudden and unpremeditated encounter. See Chaud-Medley. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Luck; chance; accident. Milton. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]