gauntlet

¹ American  

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

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.

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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.

gauntlet ² American  

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

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. gantlet.

idioms

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

gauntlet ¹ British  

/ 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

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gauntlet ² British  

/ 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

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gauntlet More Idioms  

1. see run the gauntlet; throw down the gauntlet.

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Other Word Forms

• gauntleted adjective
• ungauntleted adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Between those visions lies a formidable scientific and commercial gauntlet.

From The Wall Street Journal

Australia's Samara Weaving reprises her starring role in the sequel, which sees her forced once again to run a gauntlet, this time against multiple families.

From Barron's

And for those who don’t make it through the December phone gauntlet, the same old-school supper club ritual — steaks, cocktails and a long evening around the table — is waiting most nights of the year.

From Salon

While some tankers have sailed through, several owners said they aren’t willing to run the gauntlet.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the hoopla of Koy breaking his own audience record at the venue, Iglesias crashed the show, presented his friend with a plaque and laid down the gauntlet in front of 17,500 fans.

From Los Angeles Times