Definition of MELEE

melee

Meanings

Plural: melees

Noun

  • a noisy riotous fight
  • A battle fought at close range, (especially) one not involving ranged weapons; hand-to-hand combat; brawling.
  • A loud, confused or tumultuous fight, argument or scrap.
  • Any confused, disorganised, disordered or chaotic situation.
  • Lively contention or debate, skirmish.
  • 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.
  • Small cut and polished gemstones sold in lots.
  • The video game Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Verb

  • To physically hit in close quarters, as opposed to shooting, blowing up, or other ranged means of damage. Often refers to the usage of a hand-to-hand weapon.

Adj

  • Of a weapon: used in close-range combat, e.g. a sword. Compare with ranged.
  • Of a character, using melee weapons.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from French mêlée, from Old French meslee, feminine past participle of mesler (“to mix”), derived from Latin misceō (“mix”). Doublet of medley.

Synonyms

battle royal, scrimmage

Scrabble Score: 7

melee is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
melee is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
melee is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

melee is a valid Words With Friends word