melee

Plural: melees

Noun

• A confused struggle or a chaotic hand-to-hand fight.
• 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.

Examples

• The final turns of the Scrabble game often devolved into a MELEE of short words and desperate plays.

Synonyms

battle royal, scrimmage

Anagrams of melee