MALLET

[mal.let] n [ME maillet, fr. MF, fr. OF, dim. of mail maul--more at maul] (15c): a hammer with a typically barrel-shaped head: as a: a tool with a large head for driving another tool or for striking a surface without marring it b: a long-handled wooden implement used for striking a ball (as in polo or croquet) c: a light hammer with a small rounded or spherical usu. padded head used in playing certain musical instruments (as a vibraphone)