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[[Image:Melee.jpg|thumb|450px|An example of a melee]]

[[Image:Melee.jpg|thumb|450px|An example of a melee]]

A '''melee''' is a [[medieval]] term for disorganized group [[combat]]. Frequently a melee would occur if the combattants on one side were not a rigorously trained [[army]], but rather were a [[militia]], a mob of local [[peasant]]s, or a ragtag group of [[mercenary|mercenaries]].  

A '''melee''' is a [[medieval]] term for disorganized group [[combat]]. Frequently a melee would occur if the combattants on one side were not a rigorously trained [[army]], but rather were a [[militia]], a mob of local [[peasant]]s, or a ragtag group of [[mercenary|mercenaries]]. The term was generalized to mean any closed combat, as opposed to firefight from distance. For example, melee was an important part of battles in the [[Napoleon|Napoleonic]] age, mostly fought by highly skilled and organized troops.

The term comes from the French word ''mélée'', the feminine benefactive form of the verb ''méler'' (alternately ''medeler''). This verb means ''to mix'' and is related to the English words ''medley'' and ''mettle''.

The term comes from the French word ''mélée'', the feminine benefactive form of the verb ''méler'' (alternately ''medeler''). This verb means ''to mix'' and is related to the English words ''medley'' and ''mettle''.