gavelling

Variant of gavel

gavel definition

☆ 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

Etymology: ? dial. var. of Scot gable, a fork, tool with forked handle < ME < OE gafol, akin to Ger gabel

transitive verb gaveled -·eled or gavelled -·elled, gaveling -·el·ing or gavelling -·el·ling

  1. to strike with or as with a gavel
  2. to cause (a meeting) to end, be in order, etc. by striking a gavel

intransitive verb

to strike a gavel

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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