gauntlet

UK: ˈɡɔːntlət | US: ˈɡɔːntlət

Definition

  1. n. a protective glove, typically part of medieval armor

  2. n. a challenge or ordeal (as in "throw down the gauntlet")

  3. n. a double line of people armed with sticks or other weapons, through which someone is forced to run as punishment

Structure
gaunt <glove (from Old French *gant*) + let<diminutive suffix>
Etymology

The word "gauntlet" originates from the Old French gantlet, a diminutive of gant (glove). It entered English in the 15th century, referring to an armored glove worn by knights. The phrase "throw down the gauntlet" (issuing a challenge) stems from the medieval custom of a knight removing his glove to signal defiance. The punitive "running the gauntlet" (from Swedish gatlopp, "lane-run") was later conflated due to phonetic similarity, though unrelated etymologically.

Examples

  1. The knight removed his gauntlet to accept the duel.

  2. She threw down the gauntlet, challenging him to debate.

  3. Soldiers punished the thief by making him run the gauntlet.

  4. His armored gauntlet gleamed in the sunlight.

  5. Facing criticism felt like running a political gauntlet.