gauntlet

¹

[gawnt-lit, gahnt-]

noun

1. a medieval glove, as of mail or plate, worn by a knight in armor to protect the hand.

2. a glove with an extended cuff for the wrist.

3. the cuff itself.

gauntlet

²

[gawnt-lit, gahnt-]

noun

1. 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.

2. the two rows of men administering this punishment.

3. an attack from two or all sides.

4. trying conditions; an ordeal.

5. gantlet.

verb (used with object)

1. gantlet.

gauntlet

¹

/ ˈɡɔːntlɪt /

noun

1. 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

2. 1. to suffer this punishment

   2. to endure an onslaught or ordeal, as of criticism

3. a testing ordeal; trial

4. a variant spelling of gantlet 1

gauntlet

²

/ ˈɡɔːntlɪt /

noun

1. a medieval armoured leather glove

2. a heavy glove with a long cuff

3. to accept a challenge

4. to offer a challenge

Other Word Forms

• gauntleted adjective
• ungauntleted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gauntlet¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English gauntelet, gauntlet, from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant “glove,” from Germanic want- (unrecorded); compare Old Norse vǫttr

Origin of gauntlet²

First recorded in 1670–80; alteration of gantlope

Word History and Origins

Origin of gauntlet¹

C15: changed (through influence of _gauntlet ¹ ) from earlier gantlope; see _gantlet ¹

Origin of gauntlet²

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take up the gauntlet / glove,

   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.

2. throw down the gauntlet / glove,

   1. to challenge.

   2. to defy.

3. run the gauntlet, to suffer severe criticism or tribulation.

see run the gauntlet; throw down the gauntlet.

Example Sentences

“It was truly a gauntlet. When I look back, it’s remarkable how many games we could have lost. If we were 34-1, we would have considered that season a loss.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When Korpi creeps through a gauntlet of sleeping soldiers, you hope they stay snoring for their own safety.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Sierra Canyon will be facing a gauntlet of Trinity League teams, something it has prepared for in the last two seasons by playing Trinity teams in nonleague and playoff games.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The final exam for USC and its defense is a five-game gauntlet, starting on the road in one of the Big Ten’s more hostile environments.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Cars wind through a gauntlet of traffic cones and caution tape.

Read more on Los Angeles Times