D defs.my
Entry 2 senses Webster, 1913

Mêlée

/(mā̇`lā̇")/ · Mê·lée · IPA
01 n. A fight in which the combatants are mingled in one confused mass; a hand to hand conflict; an affray.
  1. 1.
    A fight in which the combatants are mingled in one confused mass; a hand to hand conflict; an affray.
  2. 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. Also: Balaklava mêlée