Melee: meaning, definitions and examples

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melee

[ˈmeɪleɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in combat

Melee refers to a chaotic hand-to-hand combat involving multiple participants. It often occurs in close quarters, leading to a disorganized and intense fight. Participants in a melee typically use weapons or physical force to overpower their opponents.

Synonyms

brawl, fracas, scuffle, skirmish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
melee	Use this term to describe a chaotic, large-scale fight involving many people. The melee at the concert was so intense that it took hours for the police to restore order
scuffle	This word fits a brief, minor fight with physical struggle, often less intense than a brawl. There was a scuffle in the hallway after two students disagreed about the game
brawl	This is suitable for describing a noisy, rough fight, often in public places, and generally implies a lack of control. The bar brawl resulted in several injuries and broken furniture
fracas	This term is used to depict a loud, disorderly fight or argument, often involving multiple people. It usually carries a dramatic connotation. The political rally ended in a fracas, with supporters of different parties clashing
skirmish	Best used for small, short-lasting fights or conflicts, often part of a larger conflict. The soldiers had a brief skirmish before retreating to their main camp

Examples of usage

The soldiers engaged in a fierce melee, swinging their swords wildly.
During the riot, a melee broke out between the opposing groups.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in gaming

In gaming, melee refers to close combat attacks or weapons, such as swords, knives, or fists, that are used at short range. It often requires physical proximity to the target and involves direct confrontation.

Synonyms

close combat, close quarters combat, hand-to-hand combat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
melee	Use this word when describing a chaotic or confused fight involving multiple people, often in a crowded or disorganized environment. The market turned into a melee after the thieves struck. As soon as the door opened, a melee broke out between the rival fans.
close combat	Appropriate for describing a situation where fighting occurs in close range but might include various forms of combat like the use of firearms, knives, or physical blows. The soldiers were trained for close combat situations. In close combat, every movement matters.
hand-to-hand combat	This term is best for describing a fight where the participants use only their bodies without weapons, including punches, kicks, and grappling. She learned hand-to-hand combat as part of her self-defense training. In the action movie, the heroes often resort to hand-to-hand combat.
close quarters combat	Used specifically for tactical or military scenarios involving combat in tight, confined spaces, such as inside buildings or narrow alleys. The SWAT team is well-prepared for close quarters combat. They engaged in close quarters combat, which left no room for error.

Examples of usage

The character excels in melee combat, delivering powerful blows with his sword.
Players can choose between long-range weapons or melee weapons in the game.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'melee' comes from the French word 'mêlée,' which means 'mix-up' or 'confusion'.
It originally described a type of hand-to-hand combat in European battles during the Middle Ages.

Historical Origins

Famous battles often included melees, where soldiers would engage in close combat, making it hard to tell friend from foe.
Melees were also common in jousting events, where knights would often break from formal matches into chaotic brawling.

Pop Culture

Melees feature prominently in various video games, including the 'Super Smash Bros.' series, where characters engage in chaotic, fun brawls.
Movies like 'Gladiator' and 'Braveheart' show large melee battles, highlighting the confusion and noise of combat.

Literature

In classic literature, melee scenes are often written to depict the chaos of battle and the confusion experienced by the characters.
Several epic poems, including 'The Iliad,' describe dense and chaotic fight scenes that can be considered melees.

Psychology

In chaotic environments, such as a melee, people can experience heightened adrenaline and a fight-or-flight response.
Crowd dynamics during a melee can lead to panic, emphasizing the psychological impact of chaos in group settings.

Translations

Translations of the word "melee" in other languages:

🇵🇹 corpo a corpo

🇮🇳 निकट युद्ध

🇩🇪 Nahkampf

🇮🇩 jarak dekat

🇺🇦 бій на близькій відстані

🇵🇱 walka wręcz

🇯🇵 近接戦闘 (きんせつせんとう)

🇫🇷 corps à corps

🇪🇸 cuerpo a cuerpo

🇹🇷 yakın dövüş

🇰🇷 근접전

🇸🇦 قتال قريب

🇨🇿 boj zblízka

🇸🇰 boj zblízka

🇨🇳 近战 (jìnzhàn)

🇸🇮 boj od blizu

🇮🇸 nærbardagi

🇰🇿 жақын ұрыс

🇬🇪 ახლო ბრძოლა

🇦🇿 yaxın döyüş

🇲🇽 cuerpo a cuerpo

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,165, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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27162 berm
27163 cleverest
27165 melee
27166 greenbacks
27167 sax
27168 paleness
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