noun

1. a kind of hammer, usually with a heavy wooden head and a short handle, for driving a chisel, etc.
2. 1. a long-handled hammer with a cylindrical wooden head, used in playing croquet
   2. a similar instrument, but with a longer, flexible handle, used in playing polo
3. a small, light hammer, usually with a felt-covered head, used for playing a vibraphone, xylophone, etc.

Etymology: ME malyet < MFr maillet, dim. of mail < OFr maile: see maul