A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Pellet, n.2 Also: pellat, -ot, pillet. [ME. and e.m.E. pelet (Piers Plowman), pelote (Gower), pelette (Caxton), pellet (1553), also pylot (a 1400), pyllette (Caxton), a small ball, pill, cannon-ball, etc., F. pelote (11th c.), med. L. pel-, pilota f. It. pila, L. pila a ball.]
1. In heraldry, a roundel of any colour other than gold or silver. (Cf. e.m.E. pellet a roundel sable (1562).)1494 Loutfut MS. 139 a.
Al that cumis in ony othir colouris ar pellottis quhat colour that euir thai be of
2. A ‘ball’ as missile. = Pellok n.21573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix. 100.
Thay … mycht not thair heidis hyde For pot gun pellettis falland from the heuin 1614 Melrose P. I. 144.
Pouder, pillettis 1626 Garden Worthies 104.
A pellet pearst and did abredge his breath
3. Pellet-brod, a ‘board’ or bat for striking a shuttlecock. Cf. later Sc. dial cleckinbrod ‘a board for striking with at handball’ (S.N.D.).1615 Reg. Privy S. 21 Nov.
Tua pellat broidis and tua clekingis thairto
4. Short for Pellet-bow n.But the application of the second 1601 quot. is doubtful.1587 Carmichael Etym. 45.
Catapulta a pellet, a croce bow or gun 1601 Treas. Acc. MS. (1600–1) 33 (2).
Four pellettis to him decorit with veluet at the handis … iiij li. Ib. (1601–4) 68.
To his pellettis and gofclubbis ane quarter veluet … to the pellettis and clobbis thrie dropwecht pasmentis of siluir
5. Appar., a small pad or compress used in surgery.1672 Foulis Acc. Bk. 4.
To John Jossies [sc. the surgeon's] servant when he took away the pellets 13s. 4d.
