Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1752, 1890
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†CHAUD MELLE, CHAUD MELLA, n. A term in Sc. law (see second quot.) “put forward as a defence to a criminal charge” (Abd.16 1939). Given as obsol. for Gall. in E.D.D. (1898).Sc. 1752 Scots Mag. (May 1753) 231/2:
The murder is not said to have been committed from sudden passion, or chaud mella.Sc. 1890 Bell Dict. Law Scot. 171:
Chaud melle . . . is a term in our ancient law, applied to homicide committed on a sudden, and in heat of blood. Skene defines it, a hot, sudden “tulzie” or debate, contradistinguished from forethought felony. The person guilty of this offence had the benefit of sanctuary, from which, however, he might have been taken for trial; but if he proved chaud melle, he was returned safe in life and limb.
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"Chaud Melle n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/chaud_melle>
