A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Chaudmellé, -mella(y, n. Also: chawdmelle, -mella, chaudemella(y, chauldemelly, chadmellye, cha(i)dmelle. [OF. chaude mellee ‘heated affray’.] A sudden angry broil or affray.1373 Acts I. 184/1.
Si homicidium fuit perpetratum … ex calore iracundie vel chaudemellee c1420 Wynt. vi. 2275.
Gyve ony be suddane chawdmelle [W. chad-] Hapnyd swa slayne to be Ib. viii. 6802 (St. A.).
In sa fell a chaidmelle 1425 Acts II. 9/2.
Gif the deide was done apon forthocht felony or throw suddande chaudemellay [34/1 chawdmella] Ib.
Gif the trespas be done of suddande chauldemelly [34/1 chaudmellay] 1456 Hay I. 271/7.
And a man of sudane chaudemellay saw ane othir drawe his wappin and cum on him 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v.
Chavd-melle, ane hoat suddaine tuilȝie, or debaite, quhilk is opponed as contrar to forthoucht fellonie 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII. 498.
Yf the same did fall furth be meir accident or chadmellye unintendit 1628 Ib. 2 Ser. II. 267.
Williame Patersoun … having laitlie upon a suddane chaudmelle … slane umquhill Iohne Mowat 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. (1699) 122.
Chaudmella, or slaughter committed upon suddenty, shall only be punishable according to the old laws
