(The gauntlet that means “severe trial,” or “ordeal,” often used in the phrase “run the gauntlet,” is an alteration of gantelope, a word that originates from Swedish gata, meaning “lane” or “way.”)

GAUNTLET definition: a medieval glove, as of mail or plate, worn by a knight in armor to protect the hand. See examples of gauntlet used in a sentence.

/ ˈɡɔnt·lət, ˈɡɑnt- / Add to word list a long thick glove (= covering for the hand), worn for protection (Definition of gauntlet from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

8 meanings: 1. a medieval armoured leather glove 2. a heavy glove with a long cuff 3. → See take up the gauntlet 4. → See throw.... Click for more definitions.

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 …

Definition of gauntlet noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Nov 26, 2025 · (archaic) Two parallel rows of attackers who strike at a criminal as punishment. A simultaneous attack from two or more sides. [John] Winthrop ran the gantlet of daily slights from his …

Clothing a glove with an extended, long cuff: a police officer's motorcycle gauntlets. Idioms take up the gauntlet, to accept a challenge to fight. Idioms throw down the gauntlet, to challenge someone to fight.

Gauntlet definition: A protective glove, usually extending over some of the forearm, worn as part of medieval armor.

There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun gauntlet, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.