GANTLET Meaning and
Definition
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Gantlet, also spelled as gauntlet, has several meanings depending on the context in which it is used. As a noun, one definition refers to a form of punishment or ordeal wherein a person must run between two rows or files of people who strike or attack them. In this sense, it is often used in the expression "to run the gantlet/gauntlet." This term has historical roots and was originally associated with military discipline, where soldiers would be forced to run through a corridor of their comrades as a punishment.
Gantlet can also refer to protective gloves that extend to cover the wrists, often used for industrial or heavy-duty work to provide safety and protect against various hazards such as cuts or chemical exposure.
Additionally, gantlet can be used in the context of railroads to describe a section of two or more tracks that converge and run parallel for a certain distance. This configuration is constructed to allow trains to pass one another without colliding. When trains pass on a shared track, it is said that they "run the gantlet."
In a more figurative sense, gantlet can be used to suggest a situation where a person or group faces a series of difficult challenges or trials. It can imply a testing experience where someone must confront obstacles head-on.
Overall, the term gantlet encompasses different meanings including a form of punishment, protective gloves, a track configuration, and a metaphorical description for a challenging experience.
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An iron glove jointed for the movement of the fingers, worn by knights, &c., and which formerly used to be thrown down in token of a challenge.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for GANTLET *
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Other Common Misspellings for GANTLET
Etymology of GANTLET
The word "gantlet" has two different origins and meanings, depending on the spelling.
1. Gantlet (also spelled gauntlet): The word "gauntlet" originated from the Swedish word "gatlopp", which means "lane course". In medieval Europe, a "gauntlet" referred to a form of punishment where a person would run between rows of people who would strike or whip them. Over time, the word extended its meaning to describe a challenge or ordeal one must endure, often using the phrase "to run the gauntlet".
2. Gantlet: The word "gantlet" (not to be confused with "gauntlet") comes from the Old English word "gantlope", which means "a kind of glove". This Old English term shares its origins with the Middle High German word "wantel" or "wantil", meaning "mitten" or "glove".
Idioms with the word GANTLET
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run the gantlet
The idiom "run the gauntlet" or "run the gantlet" refers to an individual going through a difficult or dangerous situation while facing a series of challenges, obstacles, or criticism. It suggests enduring a barrage of criticism, scrutiny, or physical challenges from multiple sources in order to reach a desired outcome. The term originated from the military practice of forcing a person to run between two lines of soldiers who would strike them with weapons or objects as a form of punishment or initiation. In a more figurative sense, it describes a challenging situation where one must face scrutiny or criticism from others.
Similar spelling words for GANTLET
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