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

Manchester City and Liverpool have also been given a fairly tough gauntlet of games, with both sides drawn against 15-time winners Real Madrid.

From BBC

This season, they’re slated to play on the road four times in a six-week stretch, with a trip to South Bend right in the middle of that gauntlet.

From Los Angeles Times

Shortly after taking over Paramount, new Chief Executive David Ellison threw down the gauntlet — he wanted his studio to be the top destination for the most talented filmmakers and artists in the business.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a striking cameo which lays down the gauntlet to Thelin to pick him from the start in Bucharest next week.

From BBC

Confronting an authoritarian strongman about his war crimes, Mon Mothma’s address to the Galactic Senate sees the future leader of the Rebel Alliance throw down the gauntlet against Emperor Palpatine.

From Los Angeles Times