I. ˈgȯnt, ˈgänt, ˈgȧnt adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic gandur stick, Norwegian dialect gand thin stick
1. of a person
a. archaic : desirably or pleasingly slim : of slender form or build
b. : thin and angular : attenuated especially by fasting or suffering : lank , haggard
2. : grim and forbidding : barren , desolate
the gaunt leafless trees
a gaunt heath
Synonyms: see lean
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make (an individual) gaunt
gaunted and hollow-eyed — Alan LeMay
usually : to train fine (as for a race)
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably alteration of gant, obsolete variant of gannet
: great crested grebe
IV.
chiefly Scotland
variant of gant I
or of gant II