medley Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
    pastiche; potpourri.

WordNet

Med"ley noun
Etymology
OE. medlee, OF. meslée, medlée, mellée, F. mêlée. See Meddle, and cf. MelÉe, Mellay.
Wordforms
plural Medleys
Definitions
  1. A mixture; a mingled and confused mass of ingredients, usually inharmonious; a jumble; a hodgepodge; -- often used contemptuously.
    This medley of philosophy and war. Addison.
    Love is a medley of endearments, jars, Suspicions, reconcilements, wars. W. Walsh.
  2. The confusion of a hand to hand battle; a brisk, hand to hand engagement; a mêlée. Obs. Holland.
  3. (Mus.) A composition of passages detached from several different compositions; a potpourri. ✍ Medley is usually applied to vocal, potpourri to instrumental, compositions.
  4. A cloth of mixed colors. Fuller.
Med"ley adjective
Definitions
  1. Mixed; of mixed material or color. Obs. "A medlè coat." Chaucer.
  2. Mingled; confused. Dryden.

Webster 1913