Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for gavel on Thesaurus.com a small mallet used by the presiding officer of a meeting, a judge, etc., usually to signal for attention or order. a similar mallet used by an auctioneer to indicate acceptance of the final bid. Masonry kevel2 .Show More
to chair (a legislative session, convention, meeting, etc.). (of a presiding officer) to request or maintain (order at a meeting) by striking a gavel. to begin or put into effect (a legislative session, motion, etc.) by striking a gavel. Show More
Origin of gavel 1 An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; origin uncertain
Origin of gavel 2 before 900; Middle English govel, Old English gafol, akin to
giefan to give; cf.
gabelle Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for gavel Contemporary Examples of gavel One advantage of Inhofe taking the gavel is that he might have to start playing defense.
Or maybe show a photo of Ted Cruz holding a gavel chairing a subcommittee.
Cruz giving a speech in Senate chamber while licking a gavel à la Miley?
After the gavel , comes the chiming of wedding bells …and the ringing of cash registers.
They'd gavel in for a few moments once every couple of days, and then gavel out again.
Historical Examples of gavel It broke up, now, and the judge in the middle rapped with his gavel .
Mr. Trimmer pounded on the table with his pencil in lieu of a gavel .
Radbourn ruled with a gavel of iron, but they all enjoyed it the more.
Silence for a while, that Mr. Price may feel the gavel in his hand, which he does.
The Speaker rapped with his gavel , and I failed to hear the opening words.
British Dictionary definitions for gavel a small hammer used by a chairman, auctioneer, etc, to call for order or attention a hammer used by masons to trim rough edges off stones Show More
Word Origin for gavel C19: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for gavel n. "small mallet used by presiding officers at meetings," 1805, American English, of unknown origin; perhaps connected with German dialectal gaffel "brotherhood, friendly society," from Middle High German gaffel "society, guild," related to Old English gafol "tribute," giefan "to give" (see habit ). But in some sources gavel also is identified as a type of mason's tool, in which case the extended meaning may be via freemasonry. As a verb, by 1887, from the noun.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
