I. ˈpe-lət noun
Etymology: Middle English pelote, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin * pilota, diminutive of Latin pila ball
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a usually small rounded, spherical, or cylindrical body (as of food or medicine)
b. : a wad of indigestible material (as of bones and fur) regurgitated by a bird of prey
2. : any of various projectiles fired from a weapon (as an air rifle)
• pel·let·al -lə-t ə l adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 1597
1. : pelletize
2. : to strike with pellets