gauntlet

1
[ gawnt-lit, gahnt- ]
/ ˈgɔnt lɪt, ˈgɑnt- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR gauntlet ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a medieval glove, as of mail or plate, worn by a knight in armor to protect the hand.
a glove with an extended cuff for the wrist.
the cuff itself.

Idioms for gauntlet

    take up the gauntlet,
    1. to accept a challenge to fight: He was always willing to take up the gauntlet for a good cause.
    2. to show one's defiance.
    Also take up the glove.
    throw down the gauntlet,
    1. to challenge.
    2. to defy.
    Also throw down the glove.

Origin of gauntlet

1
1375–1425; late Middle English gantelet < Middle French, diminutive of gant glove < Germanic *want-; compare Old Norse vǫttr

OTHER WORDS FROM gauntlet

gaunt·let·ed, adjective un·gaunt·let·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gauntlet

gambit gamut gantlet gauntlet

Words nearby gauntlet

gaultier, gaum, gaumless, gaun, gaunt, gauntlet, gauntlet bandage, gauntry, gaup, gaur, gause's law

Definition for gauntlet (2 of 2)

gauntlet 2
[ gawnt-lit, gahnt- ]
/ ˈgɔnt lɪt, ˈgɑnt- /

noun Also gantlet (for defs 1, 2, 4).

a former punishment, chiefly military, in which the offender was made to run between two rows of men who struck at him with switches or weapons as he passed.
the two rows of men administering this punishment.
an attack from two or all sides.
trying conditions; an ordeal.
gantlet1(def 1).

verb (used with object)

gantlet1(def 3).

Origin of gauntlet

2
First recorded in 1670–80; alteration of gantlope

Words related to gauntlet

armor, challenge, glove, trial, test, onslaught

Example sentences from the Web for gauntlet

British Dictionary definitions for gauntlet (1 of 2)

gauntlet 1

gantlet

/ (ˈɡɔːntlɪt) /

noun

a medieval armoured leather glove
a heavy glove with a long cuff
take up the gauntlet to accept a challenge
throw down the gauntlet to offer a challenge

Word Origin for gauntlet

C15: from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant glove, of Germanic origin

British Dictionary definitions for gauntlet (2 of 2)

gauntlet 2
/ (ˈɡɔːntlɪt) /

noun

a punishment in which the victim is forced to run between two rows of men who strike at him as he passes: formerly a military punishment
run the gauntlet
  1. to suffer this punishment
  2. to endure an onslaught or ordeal, as of criticism
a testing ordeal; trial
a variant spelling of gantlet 1 (def. 1)

Word Origin for gauntlet

C15: changed (through influence of gauntlet 1) from earlier gantlope; see gantlet 1

Cultural definitions for gauntlet

fling (throw) down the gauntlet
[ (gawnt-luht) ]

To issue a challenge: “The candidate flung down the gauntlet and challenged his opponent to a debate.” A gauntlet was a glove; the wearer would throw it to the ground to show that he was challenging an opponent to fight.

Idioms and Phrases with gauntlet

gauntlet

see run the gauntlet; throw down the gauntlet.