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gavel
(gav′əl)
☆
noun
a small mallet rapped on the table by a presiding officer in calling for attention or silence, or by an auctioneer
Origin: ? dial. var. of Scot gable, a fork, tool with forked handle < ME < OE gafol, akin to Ger gabel
transitive verb gaveled or gavelled, gaveling or gavelling
- to strike with or as with a gavel
- to cause (a meeting) to end, be in order, etc. by striking a gavel
intransitive verb
to strike a gavel
See gavel in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A small mallet used by a presiding officer or an auctioneer to signal for attention or order or to mark the conclusion of a transaction.
- A maul used by masons in fitting stones.
To bring about or compel by using a gavel: “The chairman . . . tries to gavel the demonstration to an end” (New Yorker).
Origin:
Origin: Origin unknown
.noun
Tribute or rent in ancient and medieval England.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Old English gafol; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots
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