Definition of gauntlet

gauntletnoun

Gauntlet

/ˈɡɔːntlət//ˈɡɔːntlət/

Word Originsenses 1 to 2 and take up/​throw down the gauntlet. late Middle English: from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant ‘glove’, of Germanic origin. run the gauntlet. mid 17th cent.: alteration of gantlope (from Swedish gatlopp, from gata ‘lane’ + lopp ‘course’) by association with gauntlet ‘glove’.

namespace

a metal glove worn as part of a suit of armour by soldiers in the Middle Ages

một chiếc găng tay kim loại được binh lính đeo như một phần của bộ áo giáp vào thời Trung cổ

a strong glove that covers and protects the hand and wrist, used for example when driving

một chiếc găng tay chắc chắn bao phủ và bảo vệ bàn tay và cổ tay, ví dụ như được sử dụng khi lái xe

Example:
  • motorcyclists with leather gauntlets

    người đi xe máy đeo găng tay da

Related words and phrases

Idioms

run the gauntlet
to be criticized or attacked by a lot of people, especially a group of people that you have to walk through
  • Some of the witnesses had to run the gauntlet of television cameras and reporters.
    • take up the gauntlet
    to accept somebody’s invitation to fight or compete
  • His Republican rival may be expected to take up the gauntlet.
    • throw down the gauntlet
    to invite somebody to fight or compete with you
  • She has thrown down the gauntlet to the newspaper by accusing it of libel.