\Chance"-med`ley\, n. [Chance + medley.]
1. (Law) The killing of another in self-defense upon a sudden
   and unpremeditated encounter. See {Chaud-Medley}.
Note: 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.
2. Luck; chance; accident. --Milton. --Cowper.