gauntlet Meaning & Definition
What Does Gauntlet Mean?
As a noun, gauntlet means a glove worn with medieval armor to protect the hand. It is also used to mean any of various protective gloves used especially in industry.
Gauntlet: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈgȯnt-lət/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | metal glove, gauntlets and cross |
| Plural | gauntlets |
Gauntlet Definition (Noun)
- a glove worn with medieval armor to protect the hand
- any of various protective gloves used especially in industry
- an open challenge (as to combat)
- a dress glove extending above the wrist
Noun
- a double file of men facing each other and armed with clubs or other weapons with which to strike at an individual who is made to run between them
- a line, series, or assemblage
- one that poses some sort of ordeal
a gauntlet of autograph-seekers
- a severe trial : ordeal
ran the gauntlet of criticism and censure
Synonyms of Gauntlet
Gauntlet synonyms and antonyms →Gauntlet in a Sentence
a gauntlet of autograph-seekers
ran the gauntlet of criticism and censure
before being adopted, school textbooks must often run the gauntlet of several local and state committees
Word Forms & Grammar
gaunt·let·ed adjective
gantlet
gantlets
gauntlet
gauntleted
gauntlets
gauntlet (plural gauntlets)
Words That Rhyme With Gauntlet
Origin of Gauntlet
Origin 1: Middle English, from Middle French gantelet, diminutive of gant glove, from Old French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch want glove, Old Norse vǫttr
Origin 2: altered from gantelope, apparently by assimilation to gauntlet:1
Origin 3: From Middle English gauntelett, gantlett, a borrowing from Old French gantelet (“gauntlet worn by a knight in armor, a token of one's personality or person, and symbolizing a challenge”), diminutive of gant (“glove”), a borrowing from Frankish *want (“glove; mitten”) and reinforced by Medieval Latin wantus (“glove”) itself borrowed from the former, from Proto-Germanic *wantuz (“glove; mitten”). Cognate with Dutch want (“mitten; shroud”), German Low German Want (“shroud”), Danish vante (“mitten”), Swedish vante (“glove; mitten”), Faroese vøttur (“glove; mitten”).
Origin 4: Modified, under the influence of etymology 1, from gantlope, from Swedish gatlopp (“passageway”), from Old Swedish gata (“lane”) + lopp (“course”), from löpa (“to run”)
First Known Use
15th century
1645
How Do You Say Gauntlet?
The standard pronunciation of gauntlet is /ˈgȯnt-lət/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (gȯnt).
Common Questions About Gauntlet
What part of speech is gauntlet?
Gauntlet is a noun.
What is another word for gauntlet?
You can replace gauntlet with words such as metal glove, gauntlets and cross. See the full list of gauntlet synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of gauntlet?
The plural of gauntlet is gauntlets.