Mal"let (?), n. [F. maillet, dim. of mail. See Mall a beetle.] A small maul with a short handle, -- used esp. for driving a tool, as a chisel or the like; also, a light beetle with a long handle, -- used in playing croquet.

• (Tool) A small maul with a short handle, used especially for driving a tool, as a chisel or the like.
  
• (Weapon) Category:Weapon A weapon resembling the tool, but typically much larger.
       Quotations
       *1786: The Mallet of arms, according to the representation of it given by Father Daniel, exactly resembles the wooden instrument of that name, now in use, except in the length of the handle, it was like the hammer of arms, to be used with both hands, indeed it differed very little from that weapon in its form. — Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 51.
  
• A light beetle with a long handle used in playing croquet.