medley

The story

1. Medieval Latin · derived frommisculō“to mix”
2. Old French · derived frommedlee
3. Anglo-Norman · derived frommedlee
4. Middle English · inherited frommedle
5. English todaymedley

From Middle English medle, from Anglo-Norman medlee, Old French medlee, from the feminine past participle of early Medieval Latin misculō (“to mix”). Compare meddle. Doublet of melee.

First known use, by meaning

• from 14ᵗʰc. Combat, fighting; a battle.
• from 17ᵗʰc. A collection or mixture of miscellaneous things.
• from 17ᵗʰc. A collection of related songs played or mixed together as a single piece.
• from 20th c. A competitive swimming event that combines the four strokes of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.