gauntlet

a glove; a challenge: take up the gauntlet
Not to be confused with:gantlet – a railroad track construction used in narrow places; an ordeal

gaunt·let¹

also gant·let G0038000 (gônt′lĭt, gänt′-)n.1. A protective glove, usually extending over some of the forearm, worn as part of medieval armor.2. Any of various protective gloves, usually with an extended or flared cuff, as used in certain sports such as fencing and motorcycle riding, in cooking to handle hot objects, and other activities.3. A challenge: throw down the gauntlet; take up the gauntlet.4. A dress glove cuffed above the wrist.

[Middle English, from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant, glove, from Frankish *want.]

gaunt·let²

also gant·let G0038000 (gônt′lĭt, gänt′-)n.1. a. A form of punishment or torture in which people armed with sticks or other weapons arrange themselves in two lines facing each other and beat the person forced to run between them.b. The lines of people so arranged.2. a. An arrangement of two lines of menacing or demanding people or things through which one must pass: moved through a gauntlet of shouting reporters.b. A series of difficult or trying experiences: survived the gauntlet of adolescent humiliations.

[Alteration (influenced by gauntlet) of gantlope, from Swedish gatlopp : gata, lane (from Old Norse; see ghē- in Indo-European roots) + lopp, course, running (from Middle Low German lōp).]Word History: The two words spelled gauntlet may share associations with medieval violence, but they have separate origins. The word gauntlet used in the idiom to throw down the gauntlet comes from the Old French word gantelet, a diminutive of gant, "glove." (The idiom makes reference to the medieval custom of throwing down a glove in challenging an adversary to combat.) The gauntlet used in to run the gauntlet is an alteration of the earlier English form gantlope, which came from the Swedish word gatlopp, a compound of gata, "lane," and lopp, "course," a word related to lope and leap. The Swedish word for this traditional form of punishment, in which two lines of people beat a person forced to run between them, probably became known to English speakers as a result of the Thirty Years' War. Sweden played a leading role in the coalition of Protestant countries that fought against Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, and at the end of the war, in 1648, the Swedish empire emerged as a great power of Europe. It was during this period of expanding Swedish influence that gatlopp entered English. It seems, however, that from the moment English speakers borrowed the word, they inserted an n into the pronunciation of gatlopp—in the earliest known attestation of the word in English, dating from 1646, it is spelled gantelope. The English word was then influenced by the spelling of the other gauntlet, "a protective glove," eventually leading to the identical spellings used today.

gauntlet

(ˈɡɔːntlɪt) or

gantlet

n1. (Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) a medieval armoured leather glove2. (Clothing & Fashion) a heavy glove with a long cuff3. take up the gauntlet to accept a challenge4. throw down the gauntlet to offer a challenge[C15: from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant glove, of Germanic origin]

gauntlet

(ˈɡɔːntlɪt) n1. (Historical Terms) 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 punishment2. (Historical Terms) to suffer this punishment3. to endure an onslaught or ordeal, as of criticism4. a testing ordeal; trial5. (Railways) a variant spelling of gantlet¹¹[C15: changed (through influence of gauntlet¹) from earlier gantlope; see gantlet¹]

gaunt•let¹

(ˈgɔnt lɪt, ˈgɑnt-)

n. 1. a mailed glove worn with a suit of armor to protect the hand. 2. a glove with an extended cuff. 3. the cuff itself. Idioms: 1. take up the gauntlet, to accept a challenge to fight. 2. throw down the gauntlet, to challenge someone to fight. [1375–1425; late Middle English gantelet < Middle French, diminutive of gant glove < Germanic *want-; compare Old Norse vǫttr] gaunt′let•ed, adj.

gaunt•let²

(ˈgɔnt lɪt, ˈgɑnt-)

n. 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. a severe test; ordeal. Idioms: run the gauntlet, to suffer severe criticism or tribulation. Also, gantlet (for defs. 1, 2, 4). [1670–80; alter. of gantlope]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	gauntlet - to offer or accept a challenge; "threw down the gauntlet"; "took up the gauntlet"gantletchallenge - a call to engage in a contest or fight
	2.	gauntlet - a glove of armored leather; protects the handmetal glove, gantletbody armor, body armour, cataphract, coat of mail, suit of armor, suit of armour - armor that protects the wearer's whole bodyglove - handwear: covers the hand and wrist
	3.	gauntlet - a glove with long sleevegantletglove - handwear: covers the hand and wrist
	4.	gauntlet - a form of punishment in which a person is forced to run between two lines of men facing each other and armed with clubs or whips to beat the victimgantletcorporal punishment - the infliction of physical injury on someone convicted of committing a crime

gauntlet

nounthrow down the gauntlet issue a challenge, challenge They have thrown down the gauntlet to their competitors.

Translations

esporsi al pericologettare il guantoguantorękawica

gauntlet

pick up the gauntlet

To accept or attempt a challenge or invitation, as to fight, argue, or compete. When it comes to civil rights issues, Mary is always eager to pick up the gauntlet. When the heavyweight champion boasted that nobody could beat him, no one expected this newcomer to pick up the gauntlet.See also: gauntlet, pick, up

take up the gauntlet

To accept or attempt a challenge or invitation, as to fight, argue, or compete. When it comes to civil rights issues, Mary is always eager to take up the gauntlet. When the heavyweight champion boasted that nobody could beat him, no one expected this newcomer to take up the gauntlet.See also: gauntlet, take, up

run the gauntlet

To be exposed to or forced to endure a series of threats, dangers, criticism, or other problems. Refers to an old military punishment in which one was forced to run between two lines of soldiers while being thrashed with rods or whips. Medical students often feel that they have to run the gauntlet when they become residents in a hospital. The director has been running the gauntlet of fans' outrage following the release of his latest film.See also: gauntlet, run

throw down the gauntlet

To issue a challenge or invitation, as to a fight, argument, or competition. When the heavyweight champion boasted that nobody could beat him, no one expected this newcomer to throw down the gauntlet. Someone finally threw down the gauntlet to the boss regarding the oppressive working conditions in the office. We'll never make any progress on this issue if we don't have members of congress willing to throw down the gauntlet.See also: down, gauntlet, throw

run the gauntlet

1. Lit. to race, as a punishment, between parallel lines of men who thrash one as one runs. The knight was forced to doff his clothes and run the gauntlet. 2. and run the gauntlet of something Fig. to endure a series of problems, threats, or criticism. After the play, the director found himself running the gauntlet of questions and doubts about his ability.See also: gauntlet, run

throw down the gauntlet

Fig. to challenge someone to an argument or to (figurative) combat. When Bob chal— lenged my conclusions, he threw down the gauntlet. I was ready for an argument. Frowning at Bob is the same as throwing down the gauntlet. He loves to get into a fight about something.See also: down, gauntlet, throw

run the gauntlet

Be exposed to danger, criticism, or other adversity, as in After he was misquoted in the interview, he knew he would have to run the gauntlet of his colleagues' anger . This term, dating from the first half of the 1600s, comes from the word gantlope, which itself comes from the Swedish word gatlopp, for "lane-course." It referred to a form of military punishment where a man ran between two rows of soldiers who struck him with sticks or knotted ropes. Almost as soon as gantlope appeared, it was replaced by gauntlet. The word was being used figuratively for other kinds of punishment by 1661, when Joseph Glanvill wrote, "To print, is to run the gantlet, and to expose oneself to the tongues strapado" ( The Vanity of Dogmatizing, or Confidence in Opinion). See also: gauntlet, run

throw down the gauntlet

Declare or issue a challenge, as in The senator threw down the gauntlet on the abortion issue. This expression alludes to the medieval practice of a knight throwing down his gauntlet, or metal glove, as a challenge to combat. Its figurative use dates from the second half of the 1700s, as does the less frequently heard take up the gauntlet, for accepting a challenge. See also: down, gauntlet, throw

pick up the gauntlet

take up the gauntlet

If you pick up the gauntlet or take up the gauntlet, you accept a challenge. Note: Gauntlets are long thick gloves which protect your hands, wrists, and forearms. Carlton, a key member of the team, was happy to pick up the gauntlet thrown down by his rival.See also: gauntlet, pick, up

run the gauntlet of something/someone

COMMON If you run the gauntlet of a difficult situation, especially one in which many people insult, question or attack you, you experience it. Note: Gauntlets are long thick gloves which protect your hands, wrists, and forearms. He had to run the gauntlet of photographers and journalists outside the High Court. They ran the gauntlet of angry demonstrators. She left the court but not before she had run the gauntlet of threats and abuse. Note: `Gatlopp' is a Swedish word meaning `lane run'. The `gatlopp' was a Swedish military punishment that came into common use in England during the Thirty Years' War (1618-48). The victim had to run between two rows of soldiers who would whip or beat them. In England, the unfamiliar Swedish word `gatlopp' was replaced by the more familiar English word `gauntlet'. See also: gauntlet, of, run, someone, something

throw down the gauntlet

COMMON If you throw down the gauntlet, you do or say something that challenges someone to take action or to compete against you. Note: Gauntlets are long thick gloves which protect your hands, wrists, and forearms. The largest teaching union yesterday threw down the gauntlet to the Government, threatening strikes if their demands are not met. Note: The verbs lay down and fling down are sometimes used instead of throw down. He has laid down the gauntlet and presented us with two options which appear to be non-negotiable. Note: In medieval times, a knight would throw one of his gauntlets (= long gloves) to the ground as a challenge to another knight to fight. If the second knight picked it up, he accepted the challenge. See also: down, gauntlet, throw

run the gauntlet

go through an intimidating or dangerous crowd, place, or experience in order to reach a goal. This phrase alludes to the former military practice of punishing a wrongdoer by forcing him to run between two lines of men armed with sticks, who beat him as he passed. Gauntlet here has nothing to do with a glove, but is a version of an earlier word gantlope , itself taken from Swedish gatloppe , which meant ‘lane course’.See also: gauntlet, run

throw down (or take up) the gauntlet

issue (or accept) a challenge. In medieval times, a person issued a challenge by throwing their gauntlet (i.e. glove) to the ground; whoever picked it up was deemed to have accepted the challenge.See also: down, gauntlet, throw

run the ˈgauntlet

be attacked or criticized by many people at the same time: The Prime Minister’s car had to run the gauntlet of a large group of protesters outside the conference hall.This phrase refers to an old army punishment where a man was forced to run between two lines of soldiers hitting him.See also: gauntlet, run

take up the ˈgauntlet

accept somebody’s invitation to fight or compete: The country needs enormous help to rebuild its economy, and it’s time to take up the gauntlet and do what we can.See also: gauntlet, take, up

throw down the ˈgauntlet

invite somebody to compete with you; challenge somebody: They have thrown down the gauntlet to the Prime Minister by demanding a referendum. OPPOSITE: hold out/offer an olive branch (to somebody)A gauntlet is a kind of glove. In medieval times a knight threw his gauntlet at the feet of another knight as a challenge to fight. If he accepted the challenge, the other knight would pick up the glove.See also: down, gauntlet, throw

run the gauntlet, to

To be exposed to a course of danger, trying conditions, or criticism. The term originated in the seventeenth century, when the Germans adopted this military punishment from the Swedes. It consisted of stripping a man to the waist and making him run between two rows of soldiers, who struck him with sticks or knotted cords. The passage he ran was gatloppe in Swedish and gantloppe or gantlope in German. It was adopted as a civilian punishment in the American colonies and was spelled gantlet or gauntlet. “They have run the gauntlet of the years,” wrote Oliver Wendell Holmes (The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table, 1858).See also: run

throw down the gauntlet, to

To issue a challenge. Conversely, to take up the gauntlet means to accept a challenge. These terms date from the time of knighthood, when the gauntlet, a glove of mail or plate used to protect the hand, was part of the standard armor. Throwing it down was a challenge to combat, as chronicled by Edward Hall in the sixteenth century. “I cast them my Gauntlet, take it up who dares,” wrote Thomas Nashe (Pasquil’s Apologie, 1590). By the eighteenth century both terms had been extended to any kind of challenge, as in Theodric by Thomas Campbell (1777–1844): “Her towns, where civic independence flings The gauntlet down to senates, courts, and kings.” See also run the gauntlet.See also: down, throw

throw down the gauntlet

Issue a challenge. In the Middle Ages a gauntlet was the glove in a suit of armor. Throwing down his gauntlet was a knight's way to challenge an opponent to combat.See also: down, gauntlet, throw

gauntlet

gauntlet

gaunt·let 1

gaunt·let 2

gauntlet

gantlet

gauntlet

gaunt•let1

gaunt•let2

gauntlet

gauntlet

pick up the gauntlet

take up the gauntlet

run the gauntlet

throw down the gauntlet

run the gauntlet

throw down the gauntlet

run the gauntlet

throw down the gauntlet

pick up the gauntlet

take up the gauntlet

run the gauntlet of something/someone

throw down the gauntlet

run the gauntlet

throw down (or take up) the gauntlet

run the ˈgauntlet

take up the ˈgauntlet

throw down the ˈgauntlet

run the gauntlet, to

throw down the gauntlet, to

throw down the gauntlet

gauntlet

gauntlet

gaunt·let

gauntlet

gauntlet

Synonyms for gauntlet

phrase throw down the gauntlet

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Synonyms for gauntlet

noun to offer or accept a challenge

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noun a glove of armored leather

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noun a glove with long sleeve

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noun a form of punishment in which a person is forced to run between two lines of men facing each other and armed with clubs or whips to beat the victim

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Related Words

gaunt·let¹

gaunt·let²

gaunt•let¹

gaunt•let²