gauntlet Hear it!

gauntlet1 definition

gaunt·let (gônt′lit, gänt′-)

noun

  1. a medieval glove, usually of leather covered with metal plates, worn by knights in armor to protect the hand in combat
    1. a long glove with a flaring cuff covering the lower part of the arm
    2. the flaring cuff

Etymology: ME < OFr gantelet, dim. of gant, a glove < Frank *want, a mitten, akin to EFris wante

gauntlet Idioms

take up the gauntlet

  1. to accept a challenge
  2. to undertake the defense of a person, etc.

throw down the gauntlet

to challenge, as to combat
gauntlet2 definition

gaunt·let (gônt′lit, gänt′-)

noun

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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