Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—Q

Quillet

An evasion. In French “pleadings” each separate allegation in the plaintiff's charge, and every distinct plea in the defendant's answer used to begin with qu'il est; whence our quillet, to signify a false charge, or an evasive answer.

Oh, some authority how to proceed;
Some tricks, some quillets, how to cheat the devil.

Shakespeare: Love's Labour's Lost, iv. 3.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Quilp
Quill-drivers
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More on Quillet from Fact Monster:

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