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 ¹( def 1 ).

verb (used with object)

1. gantlet ¹( def 3 ).

gauntlet

¹

/ ˈɡɔːntlɪt /

noun

1. a medieval armoured leather glove
2. a heavy glove with a long cuff
3. take up the gauntlet
   to accept a challenge
4. throw down the gauntlet
   to offer a challenge

gauntlet

²

/ 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. run the gauntlet
   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

Other Words From

• gauntlet·ed adjective
• un·gauntlet·ed 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: from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant glove, of Germanic origin

Origin of gauntlet²

C15: changed (through influence of gauntlet ¹) from earlier gantlope; see gantlet ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. run the gauntlet, to suffer severe criticism or tribulation.
2. 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.
3. throw down the gauntlet / glove,
   1. to challenge.
   2. to defy.

More idioms and phrases containing gauntlet

see run the gauntlet ; throw down the gauntlet .

Example Sentences

A talisman that is going to throw the gauntlet at the Springboks.

From BBC

One of those brave participants is East Texas mother of four Samantha Casiano, forced to deliver an anencephalic baby with no chance of living, a gauntlet of unnecessary mother-child suffering with a severe impact on Casiano’s mental health, relationships and view toward further pregnancies.

From Los Angeles Times

Depth is always the key to surviving the gauntlet.

From Los Angeles Times

Their meeting may not decide the true champion of 2003 — many of the players in this year’s matchup weren’t even born yet — but the stakes still are high for USC and LSU, given the gauntlet awaiting them in the coming weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

In our case, that meant leaving our off-site hotel at 7 a.m. and running the gauntlet through metal detectors, bag searches and guard dogs so we could be at the gates when they opened at 8 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times