n.
Variant: also gantlet
Function: noun
Etymology: by folk etymology from gantelope
Date: 1645
1 a : a double file of men facing each other and armed with clubs or other weapons with which to strike at an individual who is made to run between them ― used with run b : a line, series, or assemblage especially : one that poses some sort of ordeal <a gauntlet of autograph-seekers>
2 : a severe trial : ORDEAL <ran the gauntlet of criticism and censure>