[ad. F. carrelet, in same sense, dim. of carrel, carreau file:—Romanic *quadrello, dim. of quadro:—L. quadrum square.] A file of triangular section, two sides being single-cut, and one smooth; used by comb-makers.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 383/2. Combmakers Tools … a Carlett … three square, whereof the smooth side is up, and one of the Teeth side seen.
1874. in Knight, Dict. Mech.; and in mod. Dicts.
[Carlet in Richardson, etc., a mistake for Carlel, i.e., (the earl of) Carlisle, in the following:
1630. Drayton, Barons Warres, iv. 7. That craftie Carlel closely apprehended.]
