Mêlée weapon
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A mêlée weapon is any weapon that does not involve a projectile — that is, both the user and target of the weapon are in contact with it simultaneously in normal use. As such these do not include statically emplaced weapons, like a boobytrap or a cauldron of boiling oil, but are carried by the troops.
There are two basic divisions — edged weapons, of which examples include swords, spears, axes, and knives, and crushing weapons, such as clubs, and maces (but not Mace; that is a chemical weapon). Also, there are whips and firebrands.
Edged weapons are called in French armes blanches (“white weapons”)
Compare: Ranged weapons.
See also
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