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gavel

1
[ gav-uhl ]
/ ˈgæv əl /
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noun
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.
verb (used with object)
to chair (a legislative session, convention, meeting, etc.).
(of a presiding officer)
  1. to request or maintain (order at a meeting) by striking a gavel.
  2. to begin or put into effect (a legislative session, motion, etc.) by striking a gavel.
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Origin of gavel

1
An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; origin uncertain

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gavel

gavel , gravel, grovel

Other definitions for gavel (2 of 2)

gavel2
[ gav-uhl ]
/ ˈgæv əl /

noun
feudal rent or tribute.

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. 2023

How to use gavel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gavel

gavel
/ (ˈɡævəl) /

noun
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

Word Origin for gavel

C19: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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