Pellet
/ˈpɛl.ɪt/noun
A small, rounded mass or little ball, often of food, metal, or shot.
Did you know?Pellet is a diminutive of Old French pelote, and that family ultimately traces back to the same ancient root behind words like ball, bowl, and balloon—an old word-family built around roundness and thrown objects.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhel-
“to swell, blow, or grow round”
Late Latin
Latin
pila
“a ball or small round object”
Old French
Old French
pelote
“a small ball, pellet, or wad”
Middle English
English
pelet
“a small ball; a little shot or lump”
Modern English
English
pellet
“a small rounded piece, especially of food or ammunition”