from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Medley \Med"ley\, n.; pl. {Medleys}. [OE. medlee, OF. mesl['e]e,
medl['e]e, mell['e]e, F. m[^e]l['e]e. See {Meddle}, and cf.
{Mel['e]e}, {Mellay}.]
1. A mixture; a mingled and confused mass of ingredients,
usually inharmonious; a jumble; a hodgepodge; -- often
used contemptuously.
[1913 Webster]
This medley of philosophy and war. --Addison.
[1913 Webster]
Love is a medley of endearments, jars,
Suspicions, reconcilements, wars. --W. Walsh.
[1913 Webster]
2. The confusion of a hand to hand battle; a brisk, hand to
hand engagement; a m[^e]l['e]e. [Obs.] --Holland.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Mus.) A composition of passages detached from several
different compositions; a potpourri.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Medley is usually applied to vocal, {potpourri} to
instrumental, compositions.
[1913 Webster]
4. A cloth of mixed colors. --Fuller.
[1913 Webster]